A New York jury has ruled that former President Donald Trump must pay a total of $83.3 million to columnist E. Jean Carroll for defamation. Carroll accused Trump of sexual assault in the 1990s, and when Trump called her a liar, the jury found him liable for defamation. The award includes $65 million in punitive damages, $11 million for damage to her reputation, and an additional $7.3 million. Trump is expected to appeal the verdict.
This decision marks the second time Trump has been ordered to pay Carroll. Last year, a jury mandated $5 million for a separate defamation instance. Despite the significant penalty, Trump’s campaign labeled the trial a “political weapon.” The jury’s focus was on determining the amount of compensation owed to Carroll, as liability had been established earlier by Judge Lewis Kaplan.
Carroll’s lawsuit contends that Trump’s denial of her sexual assault accusation harmed her reputation and led to threats and insults. The case had been delayed for several years after Trump’s Attorney General Bill Barr initially blocked it, arguing Trump made the comments in his official capacity. The trial began after Biden’s Justice Department reversed course in 2023.
While Trump plans to appeal, the verdict adds to the legal challenges he faces, including criminal cases that could result in substantial financial penalties. Trump claims these cases are politically motivated interference. The former president was not present when the jury delivered the verdict.
Carroll, known for her advice column and freelance writing, accused Trump in 2019 of sexually assaulting her in the ’90s. The jury’s decision sends a message about accountability, and Carroll’s lawyer stated, “Today’s verdict proves that the law applies to everyone in our country, even the rich, even the famous, even former presidents.”
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