Court Upholds $83.3 Million Judgment Against Trump in Defamation Case
A federal appeals court in New York has ruled that former President Donald Trump must pay $83.3 million in damages to writer E. Jean Carroll. This ruling comes after Carroll accused Trump of sexual assault and he retaliated with harsh public attacks on her character.
The three-judge panel from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied Trump’s appeal against the jury’s decision, stating that the damages awarded were “fair and reasonable.” The judges noted the seriousness of Trump’s actions, which they described as unprecedented. They emphasized that Carroll endured extensive harassment, including numerous death threats, due to Trump’s statements.
Trump’s legal team argued that the punitive damages, especially the $65 million portion, were excessively high and sought a retrial based on new insights regarding presidential immunity. However, the appeals court found that Trump’s persistent and aggressive comments justified the significant financial penalty.
In a comprehensive 70-page ruling, Carroll’s attorney celebrated the affirmation of her client’s truth while pointing out that Carroll had suffered threats throughout the legal process. She expressed a desire to put the matter behind her and end the appellate battle.
During the initial trial, Carroll recounted receiving hundreds of threats after Trump’s remarks and noted a decline in her professional opportunities as a result. She alleged that Trump’s actions began after she detailed her accusations in a memoir published in 2019, where she claimed he assaulted her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s.
Although a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, they did not classify it as rape under New York law. Trump vehemently denied the claims, alleging that Carroll fabricated the story to promote her book.
The initial trial awarded Carroll $5 million for the alleged assault and related defamatory statements from Trump. A second trial focused exclusively on the damages relating to Trump’s disparaging remarks made during his presidency. Trump attended this trial, framing the legal challenges as part of a larger effort to discredit him amid his 2024 presidential campaign.
The appeals court upheld the trial judge’s decisions, affirming that all trial proceedings were conducted fairly and justified given the circumstances. Trump’s comments, which included vows to continue defending himself, were cited as part of a campaign of ongoing defamation against Carroll that persisted for years, intensifying as legal proceedings were underway.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, this case serves as a reminder of the legal and personal challenges faced by public figures, as well as the accountability that follows actions taken in the public eye.
