In a significant legal development, former President Donald Trump has been directed by a federal civil jury to pay advice columnist E. Jean Carroll a staggering $83.3 million for defaming her in 2019. The jury’s decision stems from Trump’s denial of Carroll’s allegations of sexual assault and his subsequent remarks, stating that “people should pay dearly for such false accusations.”
Carroll’s legal team sought substantial damages against the former president, and the jury delivered with an award of $18.3 million in compensatory damages, along with an additional $65 million in punitive damages. The jury, comprised of nine anonymous individuals, deliberated for a mere three hours following a trial that spanned multiple days, featuring testimony and arguments.
Despite Trump leaving the Manhattan courtroom before the verdict was announced, he took to social media to express his dissatisfaction and vowed to appeal the decision. On Truth Social, he stated, “Absolutely ridiculous! I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party.”
Carroll, on the other hand, welcomed the verdict with a smile, emphasizing its significance for women who stand up against injustice. She stated, “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.”
The awarded damages included $11 million for Carroll to fund a public relations campaign aimed at restoring her reputation and $7.3 million for pain and suffering. The jury’s decision comes in addition to a $5 million judgment previously ruled in May, where Trump was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll in 2022.
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Trump’s remaining rival for the Republican presidential nomination, seized on the verdict to criticize the ex-president. Haley remarked on X (formerly Twitter), “Donald Trump wants to be the presumptive Republican nominee, and we’re talking about $83 million in damages.”
Throughout the trial, Carroll’s legal team argued that Trump’s denials in 2019 unleashed a wave of attacks from his supporters, leading to threats against her life. The jury was shown a series of messages exemplifying the aggression Carroll faced, including death threats.
In requesting damages, Carroll’s lead counsel, Roberta Kaplan, emphasized Trump’s financial sensitivity, stating, “He does care about money. How much will it take to make him stop?”
Despite Trump’s continuous attacks on Carroll during the trial, the jury’s decision is viewed as a significant victory for her and other victims of sexual abuse. Stephanie Grisham, Trump’s former White House press secretary, noted, “This is a huge day for E. Jean Carroll, but also for victims of sexual abuse everywhere.”
Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, pledged an immediate appeal, asserting that they were denied every defense. Habba highlighted Trump’s decision to take the stand and face the judge as a demonstration of his commitment to the legal process.
As the legal saga unfolds, the ramifications of this verdict add to the complexities surrounding Trump’s post-presidential life, with potential implications for his political future and the broader discourse on accountability for public figures accused of misconduct.