Former President Donald Trump and his legal team have initiated an appeal following a ruling by New York Judge Arthur Engoron in the civil fraud case brought against him by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The Trump appeal, filed on the first business day after the judgment, challenges the $364 million verdict entered against him, his adult sons, and two former Trump Organization officials.

The notice of appeal was lodged subsequent to the judge's denial of Trump's request for a 30-day delay in the judgment.

Trump's attorneys argued that such a delay would facilitate an orderly process given the magnitude of the decision and asserted that it wouldn't harm the New York attorney general's office.

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Trump Appeal 

The total amount Trump faces, with interest, exceeds $354 million, with daily post-judgment interest accruing at nearly $112,000.

Judge Engoron's ruling found Trump and his co-defendants liable for various charges including persistent and repeated fraud, falsifying business records, issuing false financial statements, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, among others.

During the trial, Judge Engoron criticized Trump's behavior, noting his evasion of questions and tendency to veer off-topic.

The Trump team was equally critical of The District Attorney and Engoron’s behavior, noting that no one had ever before been prosecuted on these specific laws before and no one was harmed in the alleged crime.

Excessive punishment 

Reacting to the judgment, Trump's attorney Christopher Kise condemned the court's decision, alleging that it ignored established legal principles and facts, characterizing it as an unjust political crusade against Trump. Kise argued that the evidence presented during the trial contradicted the attorney general's claims of fraud and suggested that Trump's net worth exceeded the figures reported in his financial statements.

Notably, James' office had sought additional penalties, including a five-year ban on Trump, his sons, and other defendants from applying for loans in New York, along with a prohibition on the Trump Organization's involvement in real estate business during the same period.

Engoron's ruling in September found Trump and the Trump Organization guilty of fraud in their real estate dealings, accusing them of inflating asset values and exaggerating net worth to secure financing and deals.

Trump, while testifying during the trial, expressed dissatisfaction with Engoron's characterization of him as a fraud, claiming that the judge made such assertions without understanding his background or circumstances.

The appeal sets the stage for a continued legal battle between Trump and the New York Attorney General's office, promising further developments in this high-profile case.