In a recent development, a New York jury has ordered former President Donald Trump to pay an additional $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll, a writer who accused him of sexual assault in a department store dressing room in 1996.
The verdict, delivered on Friday after less than three hours of deliberation, added to the $5 million award granted to Carroll last year by another jury, which found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The combined $88.3 million constitutes one of the largest defamation awards in U.S. history, marking a significant blow to Trump, who has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations.
Carroll, aged 80, expressed her joy over the jury’s decision, considering it a victory for women standing up against injustices. Her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, emphasized that the verdict demonstrates that the law applies to everyone, including prominent figures like former presidents.
Trump, aged 77, attended the trial and testified briefly on Thursday, responding to the verdict with anger and vowing to appeal. He denounced the decision as ridiculous, claiming it violated the justice system and asserting that Carroll’s accusations were false and politically motivated.
The trial focused on damages to Carroll’s reputation caused by Trump’s 2019 statements, where he denied her allegations and suggested consequences for false accusations. Witnesses, including Carroll, provided detailed accounts supporting her claims. Despite Trump’s brief testimony, the jury sided with Carroll, awarding her $11 million for reputation damage, $7.3 million for emotional harm, and $65 million in punitive damages – the highest ever in a New York defamation case.
Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, argued that Carroll’s motivations were financial and fame-driven, asserting that Trump’s statements were protected by the First Amendment. The jury, however, rejected these arguments.
This verdict adds to Trump’s legal challenges, as he faces numerous investigations and lawsuits related to his business, taxes, campaign, presidency, and personal conduct. Carroll’s case is one of several allegations of sexual misconduct against Trump, who denies all accusations.
Carroll, a former advice columnist for Elle magazine, accused Trump of assaulting her in 1996 and decided to go public in 2019. The legal battle, ongoing for over two years, continued after Trump’s presidency, and a judge ordered him to provide a DNA sample and a deposition. Carroll, not seeking criminal charges, plans to donate the awarded $88.3 million to organizations supporting sexual violence survivors, emphasizing the importance of holding powerful individuals accountable.
