In November 2019, the New York Supreme Court ordered Donald Trump to pay $2 million in damages for illegally using the Trump Foundation's charitable assets to intervene in the 2016 presidential primaries and further his own political interests. The court found that more than $2.8 million raised by the foundation was “used for Mr. Trump's political campaign and disbursed by Mr. Trump's campaign staff, rather than by the Foundation.”
The Trump Foundation was forced to dissolve under court supervision after New York Attorney General Letitia James filed suit against Trump, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric Trump as directors. Trump was required to agree to 19 admissions acknowledging his personal misuse of charitable funds, accept restrictions on future charitable service, and submit to ongoing reporting to the Attorney General's office.
This wasn't a gray area or technicality—Trump took money donated to charity, including funds meant for veterans, and used it to boost his political campaign. He literally stole from charity. The $1.78 million remaining in the foundation plus the $2 million penalty were distributed to eight legitimate charities.