Donald Trump saw further legal setbacks this week, as the litigious Republican continues to spend much of his post-presidency mired in court battles.
Mr Trump on Friday ended a Florida lawsuit he had brought against New York Attorney General Letitia James in which he sought to block her office from obtaining materials from his trust.
The action came a day after he and his lawyer were fined nearly $1 million in a separate case.
A frequent target of the former president's anger, Ms James has been conducting an investigation into Mr Trump and his business dealings, with the former president, his business and three of his children accused of financial fraud.
The one-page filing did not provide a reason as to why Mr Trump was dismissing the lawsuit.
Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing and accused the New York attorney general of a “relentless, pernicious, public and unapologetic crusade against” him.
The withdrawal came after Mr Trump and his lawyer on Thursday were fined nearly $1 million for what a Florida judge called a “frivolous” lawsuit against former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
Mr Trump alleged Ms Clinton and others had conspired against him during the 2016 presidential election by tying his campaign to Russia.
“No reasonable lawyer would have filed it,” Federal Judge Donald Middlebrook wrote.
“Intended for a political purpose, none of the counts of the amended complaint stated a cognisable legal claim.”
Among the other defendants in the case were former FBI director James Comey, other FBI officials and some advisers to Ms Clinton.
Mr Trump sought $24 million in damages.
Mr Middlebrooks had previously dismissed the lawsuit filed by Mr Trump.
Trump's Truth Social feed — in pictures
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On Truth Social, a social media platform founded by Donald Trump after he was banned from Twitter, conversation is often limited to sycophantic memes and conspiratorial memes. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Almost all of Mr Trump's followers are die-hard supporters and criticism of the former president is rare. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump's signature line on 'The Apprentice' was: 'You're Fired!' Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Many memes lionise the former president. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump hopes to get a second term in office in 2024. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
A not-true ReTruth: Trump-backed, election-denying candidate Kari Lake lost to Democrat Katie Dobbs in the Arizona governor race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump suggests voter fraud in the Arizona governor race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump attacks Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who may be well positioned to duel the former president in the 2024 White House race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Many Maga Republicans miss Mr Trump. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump attacks mail-in ballots that allow millions of Americans who are unable to vote on election day to participate. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Some of the Trump supporters that stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, used American flags to attack police officers. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
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Mr Trump was expected to announce a new run for the White House on November 15. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
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Mr Trump still attracts fierce loyalty from his 'Maga' supporters. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump suggests he would perform better than Ron DeSantis. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
A variation on the election-denying theme. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump has continued to make his baseless claims of election fraud in races he or his fellow Republicans lost. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Another ReTruth. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump returns to his debunked claims of widespread election fraud. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Another teaser for his November 15 announcement. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump 'ReTruths' a message from a follower. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
The 'legend' will be 78 at the 2024 election, the same age Joe Biden was when he got elected. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump is expected to announce he will run again for president in 2024. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Mr Trump teases his announcement on November 15. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social -
Truth Social is only available in the US, Canada and Brazil. Reuters
“Here, we are confronted with a lawsuit that should never have been filed, which was completely frivolous, both factually and legally, and which was brought in bad faith for an improper purpose,” he wrote.
“Mr Trump is a prolific and sophisticated litigant who is repeatedly using the courts to seek revenge on political adversaries”.
Mr Middlebrooks said the characterisations of events in the lawsuit were “implausible” and “categorically absurd”.
The former president and his lawyer, Alina Habba, were required to pay nearly $938,000 to the defendants.
“Thirty-one individuals and entities were needlessly harmed in order to dishonestly advance a political narrative,” Mr Middlebrooks wrote.
Ms Habba told CNN in a statement that the former president plans to appeal the decision.
