In a ruling by the High Court in London, U.S. President Donald Trump has been ordered to pay £625,000 (approximately $741,000) in legal costs following an unsuccessful lawsuit against Orbis Business Intelligence, a firm founded by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele.
President Trump had filed a data protection claim against Orbis in 2022, alleging that the firm had violated UK data protection laws by compiling a dossier containing unverified and damaging claims about him. The dossier, known as the "Steele dossier," became a focal point of controversy during and after the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
The court dismissed the case, citing significant delays in the proceedings. Subsequently, Judge Jason Rowley ordered President Trump to pay Orbis' legal costs, with interest accruing daily at 12%.
This ruling adds to the legal challenges faced by President Trump and highlights the complexities of international legal disputes involving high-profile figures.