- Trump awarded $83.3 million
- Defamed E. Jean Carroll
- Plans appeal, denies accusations
The awarding of $83.3 million (£65 million) by a New York jury to Donald Trump for defaming columnist E. Jean Carroll in 2019 while he was president of the United States.
The civil trial penalty consists of $65 million in punitive damages and $18.3 million in compensatory damages.
In a prior civil proceeding, it was determined that Mr. Trump had defamed and sexually assaulted Ms. Carroll during the 1990s.
His statement of “Absolutely ridiculous!” regarding the verdict and the case as a witch hunt pledged to result in an appeal of the most recent decision.
The compensatory damages are intended to compensate her for the emotional and reputational injury caused by his remarks, as determined by the jury.
The council also had to create a punishment to prevent Mr. Trump from criticising her.
On Friday afternoon, the verdict was rendered in less than three hours by a jury consisting of two women and seven men.
“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,” Ms. Carroll stated in a press release.
Verdict Reactions and Legal Commentary
Robbie Kaplan, her attorney, issued the following statement: “Today’s verdict demonstrates that the law applies to all citizens, including the wealthy, the famous, and former presidents.”
Due to the sensitivity of the case, earlier in the trial, Judge Lewis Kaplan (who is unrelated to the plaintiff’s attorney) advised the jury not to use their actual names with one another.
He concluded by permitting them to engage in a discussion regarding their experience. However, he further stated that they should not disclose to anyone that they were involved in this case.
Mr. Trump has denied wrongdoing and a meeting with Ms. Carroll, including Friday morning.
However, after the verdict was rendered, he abstained from direct criticism of her in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, in which he condemned the case’s outcome.
“I vehemently disagree with both verdicts and intend to appeal the entire Biden case,” he wrote. The focus of Directed Witch Hunt was on the Republican Party and myself.
“Our legal system is being utilized as a political weapon and is out of control.” Every First Amendment right has been revoked. “NOT AMERICA HERE!”
In the 1990s, he sexually assaulted Ms. Carroll, a magazine columnist, in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room. This was according to evidence presented in a civil trial last year.
The jury also found him slanderous for falsely accusing her and awarded her $5 million in damages.
The case, which concluded on Friday, centred on various defamatory remarks made by Mr. Trump in the year 2019.
After his Secret Service protection detail left court earlier in the day, Mr. Trump did not attend the ruling.
Judge Kaplan threatened to imprison Alina Habba, the attorney for Mr. Trump, moments before he departed, for continuing to speak despite his warning to remain silent.
“You are approaching a period of confinement in the lockup.” “Please take a seat,” he instructed Ms. Habba.
Legal Battles and Political Tensions
The judge had previously threatened to expel Mr. Trump for calling the case a “witch hunt” and “conspiracy.” The judge instructed, “Before the verdict is read, there will be no outbursts.”
Ahead of closing arguments on Friday, an attorney for Ms. Carroll stated that the former president’s denials that he sexually assaulted her had gravely damaged her reputation.
“Additionally, this case involves penalizing Donald Trump… “The purpose of this trial is to compel him to cease his actions permanently,” she explained.
Prior to this, the court was informed by the attorneys for Ms Carroll that Mr. Trump’s statements incited a deluge of death threats, rape threats, and online hate directed at her.
His attorney said Ms. Carroll’s accusations have “more holes than Swiss cheese.” Mr. Trump shouldn’t pay her more damages.
Ms. Habba stated that her client did not bear responsibility for the threats lodged against Ms. Carroll.
Mr. Trump, the first president charged with a crime, faces four criminal cases involving 91 felony counts.
The varied legal actions against him are coordinated by Democratic allies of US President Joe Biden, he has often stated.
Trump is expected to face Biden again in the November 2024 general election due to his Republican Party dominance.
