Fact Check: Trump $25 Million Fraud Settlement.

Fact Check: Trump $25 Million Fraud Settlement

What We Know

In March 2017, a federal judge approved a $25 million settlement involving Donald Trump and former students of Trump University, who claimed they were defrauded by the real estate seminars offered by the institution. This settlement was reached after a lengthy legal battle that included two class-action lawsuits and a fraud case. The settlement was designed to reimburse over 6,000 students who alleged they paid thousands of dollars for courses that they described as ineffective and misleading (NPR). The judge, Gonzalo Curiel, noted that only two of the approximately 7,000 eligible class-action members objected to the settlement terms, which indicated a strong consensus among the affected parties (NPR).

Under the terms of the settlement, Trump did not admit any wrongdoing. The students had claimed that the courses, which cost between $1,500 and $35,000, failed to deliver on promises of valuable investment techniques and mentorship (NPR). Reports indicated that many of the promised techniques were readily available online or were illegal in certain states (NPR).

Analysis

The claim regarding the $25 million settlement is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The approval of the settlement by Judge Curiel is a matter of public record, and the details surrounding the case have been widely reported by reputable news organizations, including NPR and ABC News (NPR, ABC News). The settlement's approval and the context of the fraud allegations lend significant weight to the veracity of the claim.

Critically, the sources reporting on this settlement have demonstrated reliability. NPR, for instance, is known for its rigorous journalistic standards and fact-checking processes. The information provided by NPR regarding the students' experiences and the judge's comments about the settlement is consistent with the broader narrative surrounding Trump University, which has been characterized by allegations of fraud and misrepresentation (NPR).

While Trump's legal team has consistently denied any wrongdoing, the overwhelming evidence presented by the plaintiffs and the judicial approval of the settlement suggest that the claims of fraud were taken seriously by the legal system. The settlement's structure, which included significant payouts to the affected students, further supports the notion that the allegations had merit (NPR, ABC News).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Donald Trump settled a $25 million fraud lawsuit related to Trump University is accurate. The settlement was approved by a federal judge and involved substantial compensation for students who alleged they were defrauded by the university's misleading practices. The legal proceedings and the settlement details have been extensively documented by credible news sources, confirming the legitimacy of the claim.

Fact Check: Trump $25 Million Fraud Settlement.