On August 24, 2013, the State of New York filed a $40 million civil suit against the institution (which had largely ceased operations in May 2011), alleging illegal business practices and claiming numerous "false promises" made by The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative and its representatives. Donald Trump denied the allegations, claiming the school has a 98% approval rating and said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is "a political hack looking to get publicity." The New York Times editorial board stated that "Mr. Schneiderman's suit offers compelling evidence of a bait-and-switch scheme." Schneiderman accused Trump of misleading more than 5,000 people to pay up to $35,000 to learn his real estate investment techniques.

In October 2014 a New York judge found Trump personally liable for the institution's violation of state education laws.

"...political hack looking to get publicity" pretty much sums up the national DTs.