In a major legal development, former President Donald Trump has been ordered to pay more than $83 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll, a woman who accused him of rape in the 1990s. A federal jury in New York City made the decision, with Judge Lewis A. Kaplan announcing the verdict on Friday.
The jury awarded Carroll $18.3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $65 million in punitive damages. This comes after a previous trial where Trump was found not liable for rape but liable for sexual abuse and defamation, resulting in a $5 million payment to Carroll. Trump has vehemently denied the allegations.
Carroll, a well-known writer and journalist, sued Trump for defamation, claiming that his public denial of the rape accusation caused harm to her reputation. The jury found that Carroll was indeed injured by Trump’s statements made while he was in the White House in June 2019. As a result, they awarded her $7.3 million in compensatory damages and $11 million for a reputational repair program. The jury also concluded that Trump’s statements were intended to harm Carroll, leading to the $65 million in punitive damages.
During the trial, Trump briefly took the stand and reaffirmed his denial of the allegations. He stated that he was only defending himself from what he believed was a false accusation. However, the judge struck statements from Trump that went beyond a simple “yes” or “no” answer.
Following the verdict, Trump expressed his disagreement and vowed to appeal. He criticized the legal system, calling it a “Biden Directed Witch Hunt” and claiming that his First Amendment rights had been taken away. Trump also accused Carroll of attempting to extort him and questioned her credibility.
This case has attracted significant attention due to its high-profile nature and the involvement of a former president. It raises important questions about the intersection of defamation, sexual assault allegations, and the responsibilities of public figures. The outcome of this trial may have broader implications for future cases involving similar circumstances.
It is important to note that this is a developing story, and further updates may follow.
