Donald Trump and Mary Trump Settle 2021 Tax Records Lawsuit
Donald Trump and Mary Trump settled their 2021 lawsuit over alleged tax record leaks in June 2023.
Why it matters: This settlement closes a high-profile chapter of family litigation impacting disclosure and privacy issues relevant to legal professionals managing sensitive financial records and compliance risks.
- Trump sued Mary Trump and The New York Times in September 2021 over allegedly leaked tax records.
- A New York court dismissed claims against The New York Times in May 2023, citing First Amendment protections.
- Trump was ordered to pay nearly $400,000 in legal fees to The New York Times following the dismissal.
- The settlement between Donald and Mary Trump was reached in June 2023, though terms remain confidential.
In September 2021, former President Donald Trump initiated a lawsuit against his niece Mary Trump and The New York Times, alleging they conspired to leak and publish his confidential tax records.
The complaint claimed Mary Trump breached a 2001 settlement agreement by providing decades-old tax documents to the newspaper.
In May 2023, a New York judge dismissed the lawsuit against The New York Times and its journalists, ruling that First Amendment protections shielded the press regarding this matter. The court also ordered Trump to pay nearly $400,000 to cover The New York Times’ legal fees incurred during the case, as reported by CBS News.
Separately, Mary Trump pursued legal claims against Donald Trump and his siblings alleging inheritance fraud, but these claims were dismissed based on the same 2001 settlement agreement.
In June 2023, Donald Trump and Mary Trump reached a confidential settlement, resolving the dispute over the alleged unauthorized sharing of family financial records. The terms and conditions of this settlement have not been publicly disclosed.
For legal professionals, particularly those in litigation and compliance, this case highlights challenges around family disputes, financial privacy, and the interplay of confidentiality agreements with press freedoms.
By the numbers:
- September 2021 — Trump filed lawsuit against Mary Trump and The New York Times
- May 2023 — New York court dismissed claims against The New York Times
- Nearly $400,000 — Legal fees Trump ordered to pay The New York Times
- June 2023 — Trump and Mary Trump reached confidential settlement