Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley criticized ex-President Donald Trump on Friday, stating he is too focused on personal matters, shortly after being ordered to pay over $80 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll.
“Donald Trump aspires to be the presumptive Republican nominee, and here we are talking about $83.3 million,” Haley expressed on social media. “Instead of addressing issues like fixing the border or tackling inflation, we find ourselves in discussions about Donald Trump and Joe Biden. America deserves better.”
According to Fox News on Friday, a jury ruled that Trump should compensate Carroll for defamatory statements where he disparaged her while denying allegations of assaulting her at Bergdorf Goodman in 1996.
Haley, a major rival for the Republican nomination, faced defeat in the New Hampshire primary following Trump’s win and a prior victory in the Iowa caucus, where Haley secured third place.
Questioning Trump’s mental state, Haley asked if he was “confused again” after releasing a video criticizing the court. In the video, Trump berates an individual, claimed by his campaign to be Carroll, stating he has “no idea” who she is, referring to “somebody running for office.”
Despite ongoing legal issues, Trump, running against Joe Biden for a second term, criticized the verdict on social media, calling it “absolutely ridiculous” and expressing disagreement with both verdicts.
Carroll’s lawyer had urged jurors to award a substantial amount to compel the former president to cease slandering her. Trump, in response on his TruthSocial site, called the verdict “absolutely ridiculous.”
Until appeals are resolved, Carroll won’t collect any money from Trump. Judge Lewis Kaplan, unrelated to Roberta, thanked jurors for their service, concluding a lengthy trial. Trump, however, continued to post social media messages attacking Kaplan, accusing the judge of harboring “absolute hatred” towards him.
