• On Wednesday, a court filing by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office as part of a $250M civil fraud suit revealed that former Pres. Donald Trump is accused of overstating his net worth by billions over the course of several years. ABC News
• According to James, Trump’s net worth between 2011 and 2021 was never more than $2.6B, as opposed to his claims of being worth up to $6.1B. Guardian (LR: 2 CP: 5)
• The suit, which accuses Trump of exaggerating his net worth by $2.2B in one of those years, alleges the former president's company knowingly manipulated the value of his assets in an attempt to skirt paying higher taxes and to improve insurance coverage. The Hill
• Also on Wednesday, Trump’s lawyers released the 479-page transcript of a deposition taken in April, during which he called James’ suit a “terrible thing” while touting that his business was exceedingly successful and other successes from his presidency. Associated Press (LR: 3 CP: 5)
• James’ filing requested the judge grant summary judgment on one of seven claims in the suit – that Trump and his company defrauded lenders and others by lying about his wealth and the value of his assets. Trump’s lawyers have asked for the case to be dismissed. Associated Press (LR: 3 CP: 5)
• The case, which is scheduled to go to trial on Oct. 2, also names Trump’s two elder sons – Don Jr. and Eric – and the Trump Organization as co-defendants. Forbes (LR: 3 CP: 5)

Democratic narrative:

• With all the indictments Trump is facing, it’s easy to forget he’s also facing this civil fraud case in which the evidence against him is overwhelming. Trump’s fraud was blatant, and when he finally stopped invoking the Fifth Amendment and actually tried to make his case in his deposition, he could barely make a coherent argument in his own defense.
  New York Times (LR: 2 CP: 5)

Pro-Trump narrative:

• James’ case is the flimsiest part of the Democrats’ witch hunt against the former president in their attempts to stop him from winning the GOP nomination for 2024. No one was injured by this so-called fraud, and Trump had little to no involvement in his companies' financial statements anyway. A civil case is just an excuse for James to up her political profile.
  Daily Caller (LR: 5 CP: 4)

Nerd narrative:

• There’s a 50% chance that Trump will be jailed or incarcerated before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
  Metaculus (LR: 3 CP: 3)