Trump Ordered to Pay $83.3M More to Carroll in Defamation Suit
In a landmark decision, a jury mandated former President Donald Trump to compensate E. Jean Carroll with an additional $83.3 million for defamation, escalating the total amount owed to Carroll to $88.3 million. This verdict follows Carroll's allegations of sexual assault by Trump, which he has vehemently denied and plans to appeal against.
The verdict was delivered in a Manhattan federal court, where Carroll, an 80-year-old advice columnist, expressed her triumph as a victory for women standing against intimidation. Trump, who made a brief appearance during the trial, exited the courtroom during Carroll’s attorney’s closing remarks and was absent when the verdict was announced.
Trump's legal team criticized the jury's decision, attributing it to bias, and vowed to continue their legal battle. This case is among numerous legal challenges Trump faces, including criminal charges related to election interference, mishandling classified documents, and more.
Carroll's legal journey began with a $5 million award from a previous jury over sexual assault and defamation claims. She accused Trump of attacking her in a Manhattan department store in 1996, an allegation that a different jury partially corroborated last May, without holding Trump liable for rape.
The recent trial focused solely on the compensation for defamation arising from Trump's derogatory remarks against Carroll, made during his presidency. The jury's substantial punitive award aims to deter Trump from future defamatory actions.
Carroll's legal team highlighted Trump's persistent public denigration of her character, urging the jury to impose a significant punitive measure. Trump, who claims substantial assets and wealth, portrayed the legal actions against him as politically motivated, a stance echoed by his supporters and political allies.
The Carroll case, aside from its legal implications, underscores the broader cultural and political divisions surrounding Trump's figure, intertwining legal disputes with the polarized American political landscape. As Trump gears up for another presidential bid, the outcome of this and other legal battles will undoubtedly influence his political trajectory and the public discourse around accountability and justice in high-profile cases.
