A significant legal blow, former President Donald Trump has been directed to pay $83.3 million in damages to author E. Jean Carroll. A federal jury rendered the verdict, finding Trump accountable for both sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. The conclusion of this tumultuous trial, marked by Trump’s apparent disdain for the court and jury, was reported by Business Insider on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
Carroll’s allegations stem from an incident in the mid-1990s, where she accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a department store dressing room. When Carroll made her accusation public in a 2019 book, Trump dismissed her as a liar, asserting that she fabricated the story to boost book sales. Despite attempting to invoke presidential immunity to block the lawsuit, Trump’s argument was rejected by the courts.
The trial, commencing on January 16, 2024, unfolded as a spectacle of legal drama and political theater. Trump, alongside his attorney Alina Habba, clashed repeatedly with US District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the case. Kaplan reprimanded Habba for violating legal rules and even threatened her with potential jail time for interruptions.
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During his brief testimony on January 24, Trump displayed minimal regard for the judge and jury, often evading questions and rambling. His abrupt exit from the courtroom on January 26 further underscored his apparent lack of respect for the judicial process.
Legal experts interviewed by Business Insider suggested that Trump’s courtroom behavior likely influenced the jury’s swift decision, delivered after less than three hours of deliberation. Former federal judge John Jones emphasized the attachment juries often develop toward their presiding judge, expressing displeasure when lawyers defy their admonitions. Chris Mattei, a defamation lawyer, remarked that juries, composed of individuals who adhere to rules, tend to frown upon those who flout legal norms.
The jury awarded Carroll a substantial $18.8 million in compensatory damages and a noteworthy $65 million in punitive damages, intended to penalize and deter wrongful conduct. This amount surpassed Carroll’s initial request of $50 million in her lawsuit. Carroll expressed elation over the verdict, thanking the jury for standing up for all women, and pledged to donate the awarded sum to organizations assisting survivors of sexual assault.
Trump, currently eyeing a 2024 presidential run, decried the verdict as a political witch hunt and a total disgrace. He pledged to appeal the decision, accusing Judge Kaplan of bias and corruption. Trump reiterated his denial of ever meeting Carroll, dismissing a photograph showing them together at a 1987 party as fake and photoshopped.
This legal setback adds to Trump’s existing challenges, including other lawsuits and criminal investigations related to his business dealings, taxes, 2020 election challenges, and his role in the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Legal experts opine that overturning the verdict is unlikely, and Trump may have to pay Carroll even before the appeal is resolved. The repercussions of this verdict could extend to Trump’s political standing, potentially damaging his reputation and credibility among supporters and voters.
