Jury Awards $83.3 Million to E. Jean Carroll in Defamation Case Against Donald Trump
In a stunning turn of events, a jury has awarded former advice columnist E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation case against former President Donald Trump. This verdict comes as a significant blow to Trump, who has been engaged in a prolonged legal battle with Carroll over her allegations of sexual assault. The award, combined with a previous $5 million verdict, brings the total amount Trump must pay to $88.3 million.
Carroll, 80, was visibly emotional as the jury delivered its verdict. She clutched her lawyers’ hands and later shared a tearful embrace with them. While she did not comment immediately after leaving the courthouse, she later released a statement through a publicist, saying, “This is a great victory for every woman who stands up when she’s been knocked down, and a huge defeat for every bully who has tried to keep a woman down.”
Trump, on the other hand, protested the verdict vigorously and announced his intention to appeal. He called the legal system “out of control” and accused his opponents of choosing venues where they believed they would receive favorable jury verdicts. His attorney, Alina Habba, echoed his sentiments and vowed to continue fighting.
The timing of this verdict is significant as Trump is currently seeking the Republican presidential nomination for a third consecutive time. Throughout his legal battles, he has tried to portray himself as a victim of a politicized judicial system. While there is no evidence that President Joe Biden or anyone in the White House influenced these cases, Trump’s narrative has resonated with his supporters, who view the proceedings skeptically.
Nikki Haley, one of Trump’s major rivals in the Republican primaries, took to social media to criticize the focus on the damages awarded to Carroll. She argued that the attention should be directed towards more pressing issues such as border security and inflation.
This is the second time in less than a year that a civil jury has reached a verdict related to Carroll’s allegations against Trump. In May, another jury awarded her $5 million, holding Trump responsible for sexually abusing her and defaming her by claiming she fabricated the assault. Trump is appealing that verdict as well.
In addition to the defamation cases, Trump is also awaiting a verdict in a civil fraud trial in New York. State lawyers are seeking the return of $370 million, alleging that Trump obtained loans and made deals using financial statements that exaggerated his wealth.
One of the key arguments made by Carroll’s legal team was the need for punitive damages to deter Trump from making further defamatory statements. They highlighted Trump’s substantial wealth and his willingness to use it to defame others. Northwestern University sociologist Ashlee Humphreys testified that Trump’s statements had caused significant harm to Carroll’s reputation, estimating damages between $7.2 million and $12.1 million.
Throughout the trial, tensions ran high, with Trump walking out of the courtroom during closing arguments by Carroll’s attorney. He later returned for his own attorney’s closing argument and part of the deliberations. However, he left the courthouse half an hour before the verdict was read.
Carroll testified that Trump’s public statements had led to death threats against her. She described the impact on her reputation, saying, “Previously, I was known as simply as a journalist and had a column, and now I’m known as the liar, the fraud, and the whack job.”
Trump’s testimony was carefully limited by the judge, who prevented him from reviving issues settled in the first trial. When asked about his previous statements calling Carroll a “liar” and a “whack job,” Trump stood by them unequivocally. He denied the allegation and insisted that he had only sought to defend himself, his family, and the presidency.
As Trump faces mounting legal challenges, his ability to pay the awarded damages becomes a significant question. In his most recent financial statement, he reported having around $294 million in cash or cash equivalents. However, he also faces criminal charges in four separate indictments, including mishandling classified documents and attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
The verdict in Carroll’s defamation case serves as a significant blow to Trump, both financially and in terms of his public image. It remains to be seen how these legal battles will impact his political aspirations and the broader political landscape moving forward.
