Former President Donald Trump is embroiled in another civil trial over allegations of promoting unsuccessful products while making millions.
Lawsuit Origins

Initially filed in 2018, the lawsuit implicates Trump, his children – Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka, and his organization in a scheme involving the marketing company ACN Opportunity, LLC.
Plaintiffs Allege Secret Trump Compensation

The four plaintiffs allege that Trump, his children, and an affiliate of the Trump Organization were secretly compensated with millions for endorsing ACN.
Trump Children Excused

In May 2022, Trump’s children were excused as defendants following depositions that, according to the plaintiffs’ attorney, Roberta Kaplan, clearly indicated that Donald Trump was “the architect, principal actor, and largest beneficiary of the fraudulent scheme.”
Trail Date

The civil trial is set to commence on January 29th.
Trump Children’s Deposition Statements Admissible in Trial

The deposition statements by Trump’s children can still be admitted as evidence during the trial despite Trump and his company continuing to be defendants in the case.
Trump Endorsed a $499 videophone as a “Great Product”

Central to the lawsuit is a $499 videophone from ACN, which Trump, during his tenure on the reality show “Celebrity Apprentice,” had lauded as a “great product.”
Lawsuit Challenges Trump’s On-Air Assertions

Despite his on-air claims of thorough research and personal experience, the lawsuit challenges these assertions as entirely false.
“Not a Word of This Was True”

The lawsuit claims, “Trump also told investors that he had ‘experienced the opportunity’ and ‘done a lot of research,’ and that his endorsement was ‘not for any money. Not a word of this was true.”
Plaintiffs Say Trump Was Responsible for Pyramid Scheme

The plaintiffs assert that Trump should be held responsible for associating his and his family’s names with a pyramid scheme.
Endorsement Claim in “Celebrity Apprentice” Ads

The lawsuit also incorporates advertisements within the show “The Celebrity Apprentice” one of which claims, “Personally endorsed by renowned entrepreneur and multi-billionaire Donald J. Trump.”
No Control over ACN

Previously, Trump and his children asserted that they had no control over ACN and that Trump’s endorsement merely represented his personal opinion.
Politically Motivated Case

The former president also alleged that the civil lawsuit, among others they are currently confronting, was politically motivated.
Multiple Delays

The case has experienced multiple delays due to efforts to dismiss it and disclose the plaintiffs publicly.
Efforts to Avoid Election-Year Trial

Attorney Roberta Kaplan had previously attempted to avoid a trial during an election year.
Kaplan’s Requested Trial Date: October 2023

Following Trump’s announcement of his intent to run again, Kaplan requested a trial date in October 2023, aiming for it to precede primary contests and other campaign-related events.
Kaplan’s November 2022 Letter

Kaplan, in a November 2022 letter, wrote, “Plaintiffs have no desire to interfere with the upcoming campaign, and are mindful that, should the schedule, in this case, extend into 2024, Defendants likely will, as they have in the past, use the campaign as a basis to seek a further delay. Setting a trial date now will provide certainty and avoid any such delay later.”
Denied Class-Action Status, Case Proceeds Individually

Although the plaintiffs’ request for a class-action status was denied in October 2023, the case is proceeding on an individual basis.
Trump Faces Numerous Legal Battles During Re-Election Campaign

This trial is one of the many legal battles Trump faces amidst his re-election campaign, including 91 felony charges and other civil trials.
New York’s Fraud Case Against Trump

Among these is a fraud case filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Trump and his family business, accusing them of inflating assets and lying to lenders and insurers about the value of their properties
$250 Million Damages, Ban on Trump & Sons from NY Business

James is seeking $250 million in damages and permanently barring Trump and his two adult sons from running a New York business.
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