Donald Trump has been ordered to cover the hefty legal fees of a company he sued over salacious allegations involving sex acts and Russian bribes.
Mrs. Justice Steyn dismissed Trump’s case against Orbis Business Intelligence, a firm founded by ex-MI6 officer Christopher Steele, last month, deeming it destined to fail.
In a recent ruling, Justice Steyn not only upheld her decision but also mandated Trump to foot Orbis’s entire legal bill. The order, disclosed by the PA news agency, highlighted Trump’s lack of effort in pursuing an appeal.
The legal spat revolved around the infamous Steele dossier, compiled by Orbis, which contained unverified claims about Trump’s ties to Russia, including lurid details about supposed encounters in St Petersburg and Moscow. Trump sought damages over two specific memos alleging involvement in “sex parties” and “golden showers.”
Justice Steyn sided with Orbis, insisting that Trump reimburse the company’s estimated £600,000-plus legal costs. She directed Trump to promptly pay £300,000, with the remainder subject to further assessment by a specialist judge.
The dossier, leaked in 2017 after being compiled in 2016, stirred controversy with its claims, including one suggesting Trump desecrated a bed used by Barack Obama. Trump’s legal counsel argued vehemently against the allegations during the October 2023 hearing, labeling them as wildly inaccurate.
Ultimately, Justice Steyn found Trump’s distress over Orbis holding copies of the memos insufficient grounds for his compensation claim. Orbis welcomed the ruling, condemning Trump’s lawsuit as an attempt to stifle free speech and exact revenge.
As Trump eyes a potential return to the White House, having all but secured the Republican nomination, his legal battles continue to draw attention amid a shifting political landscape, with his last contender, Nikki Haley, recently withdrawing from the race.
