The Daily Fuckup

By January 24, 2024, the New York civil fraud case against Donald Trump and the Trump Organization was submitted but not decided. Closing arguments had taken place on January 11, and the matter was then awaiting Judge Arthur Engoron’s written decision. The court’s ruling was still pending that day. ([ag.ny.gov](https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2024/attorney-general-james-releases-statement-ahead-closing-arguments-civil-fraud))

The case turned on allegations that Trump and his company overstated asset values on financial statements to secure better loan terms and insurance coverage. In the court record, the state said those statements were used in business dealings with banks and insurers; the judge later found that defendants had submitted false financial data to obtain more favorable financing. ([ag.ny.gov](https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/decisions/trump-decision.pdf))

What mattered on January 24 was the posture, not the outcome: the trial was over, the evidence had been heard, and the decision was still in the judge’s hands. Engoron’s decision and order was filed on February 16, 2024, so any penalties or business restrictions were not yet fixed on January 24. ([ww2.nycourts.gov](https://ww2.nycourts.gov/people-v-donald-j-trump-civil-37021))