Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer criticized the $355 million fine imposed on former President Trump as a result of a civil fraud trial in New York, calling it “insanity and outrage.”
Spicer, who served under the Trump administration, expressed his disapproval in an interview on “The Hill on NewsNation,” characterizing the ruling as “nuts” and arguing that the penalties were excessive for actions that he claimed did not result in harm to anyone, including banks and insurance companies.
The ruling, delivered by Judge Arthur Engoron, followed a months-long trial and ordered Trump to pay nearly $355 million for allegedly inflating and deflating his net worth to receive tax and insurance benefits.
Engoron had previously ruled in favor of New York Attorney General Letitia James’s lawsuit against Trump and the Trump Organization for fraud in 2022.
As part of the ruling, Trump will be barred from holding a top executive position in New York for three years. Spicer criticized the case as a “vendetta,” alleging that James had promised to target Trump if elected.
Spicer argued that the fine was disproportionate, suggesting that a smaller penalty, such as $10 million, would have been more reasonable compared to other civil fines.
Despite the ruling being $16 million less than what James had requested, she hailed it as a victory for justice, emphasizing that it holds Trump accountable for “lying, cheating, and a lack of contrition.”
James stated that the ruling demonstrates that “no one is above the law,” including former presidents. She emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring that there are no double standards in the justice system.
