Jury orders Trump to pay $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll for defamation. The verdict comes after a brief deliberation, marking a significant moment in legal battles over public statements by high-profile figures.
The breakdown of the damages awarded to Carroll includes $11 million for damage to her reputation, $7.3 million for emotional harm, and a punitive sum of $65 million. The punitive damages, in particular, underscore the jury’s stance on the severity of the defamation and its potential deterrent effect.
The case peaked after heated closing arguments, with Trump leaving the courtroom before the verdict and criticizing it on Truth Social.
Alina Habba, Trump’s lawyer, echoed his views, calling the verdict ‘odious’ and a ‘violation of our justice system.’ In contrast, Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, celebrated the ruling as a victory for the rule of law, saying, ‘This decision demonstrates that the law applies to everyone in our nation, even the wealthy, even the famous, even former presidents.’
The jury’s ruling is based on a prior determination that Trump had defamed Carroll while in office by ridiculing her claim of sexual assault. Kaplan had urged the jury to grant substantial punitive damages to prevent Trump from further defaming Carroll, emphasizing his repeated public attacks against her following the initial finding of liability.
Carroll’s legal team presented instances of Trump’s derogatory comments on social media and to reporters during the trial. Trump’s defense argued that Carroll had not shown entitlement to damages. The trial began on January 16 and saw Trump testify for under five minutes, reiterating his stance that Carroll’s accusation was false.
Carroll’s response to the verdict was one of victory and vindication. ‘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,’ she stated.
The case has garnered attention from political figures as well, with Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley commenting on the financial implications of the verdict for Trump, and President Joe Biden’s campaign maintaining silence to avoid perceptions of political interference.
The verdict is a win for Carroll and sends a message about the impact of defamation on public figures. Trump’s appeal and potential damages for Carroll will have far-reaching implications.
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