Jury Deliberates Cost of Trump’s Defamatory Statements in E. Jean Carroll Case
In a high-stakes trial that has captivated the nation, a jury of nine New Yorkers is now deliberating the financial consequences of former President Donald Trump’s defamatory statements against columnist E. Jean Carroll. The trial follows nearly five years of legal battles, culminating in Trump taking the witness stand in his own defense less than 24 hours ago.
The case centers around allegations made by E. Jean Carroll that Trump sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store during the 1990s. Trump vehemently denied these claims, but last year, a jury concluded that his denials were false and defamatory. Now, the focus has shifted to determining the damages Trump should pay for his defamatory statements.
Carroll’s attorney, Shawn Crowley, opened the trial by emphasizing the impact of Trump’s actions on her client. “Twenty-five years after sexually assaulting Ms. Carroll, Donald Trump defamed her for speaking up, and then he did it again and again. He keeps doing it even now. It’s time to make him stop,” Crowley asserted.
Throughout the trial, Trump has continued to deny the allegations, repeating the defamatory statements over a hundred times both inside and outside the courtroom, according to Carroll’s lawyers. Trump’s adamant denial was reinforced yesterday when he took the witness stand. “I never met the woman. I do not know who this woman is,” Trump maintained. However, the jury had already been instructed to accept the previous finding that Trump sexually abused Carroll and defamed her.
Judge Lewis Kaplan limited Trump’s testimony to just three questions, focusing on his previous deposition in the case and his denial of Carroll’s accusation. Trump maintained his stance, stating that he stood by his 2022 deposition and denied instructing anyone to harm Carroll. His testimony was brief but emphasized his desire to defend himself, his family, and the presidency.
For Carroll, a respected advice columnist at Elle Magazine, Trump’s defamatory remarks have had severe implications. They damaged her credibility and reputation as a journalist, limited her career opportunities, and associated her name with Trump’s false statements. Moreover, she faced a wave of abuse and threats from Trump’s followers after he denied her allegations.
During the trial, Carroll’s lawyers called upon a reputation expert who estimated that repairing the damage caused by Trump’s statements would cost over $12 million. This figure includes both compensatory and punitive damages. The expert emphasized the severe consequences of Trump’s actions on Carroll’s personal and professional life.
However, Trump’s legal team presented a different narrative. They argued that Carroll invited controversy through her allegations and that her reputation actually benefited from the media exposure. They also claimed that Carroll had deleted some of the death threats she received, suggesting she had destroyed evidence. Judge Kaplan dismissed this argument. Additionally, Trump’s lawyers pointed out that Carroll had already been receiving threats before Trump made his defamatory statements.
Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, painted Carroll as someone who craved fame and sought it through these allegations. “This is someone who craves fame and seeks fame wherever she can get it,” Habba asserted. According to Trump’s legal team, Carroll got what she wanted.
As the jury deliberates, the financial implications for Trump are significant. The damages determined in this trial could add to the mounting expenses he faces ahead of four criminal trials and the upcoming presidential election. The outcome of this trial will undoubtedly shape the narrative surrounding Trump’s presidency and his treatment of women.
The verdict will not only determine the financial consequences for Trump but also send a message about accountability for powerful individuals who use their platforms to harm others. The nation anxiously awaits the jury’s decision in this landmark case, which has exposed the intersection of power, reputation, and justice in the United States.
