Court Upholds $83.3 Million Verdict Against Trump in Carroll Case

A federal appeals court has upheld an $83.3 million jury verdict against former President Donald Trump for defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. The verdict, which stems from Trump’s denial of Carroll’s rape allegation in 2019, was confirmed by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan on October 30, 2023.

The court rejected Trump’s claim of presidential immunity from Carroll’s lawsuit, according to a report by Reuters. This ruling follows a previous decision in June 2023 that upheld a separate $5 million verdict against Trump for sexual abuse and defamation, although the jury did not find him liable for rape. Both cases are part of an ongoing series of legal challenges Trump has faced since leaving office in January 2021.

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, labeling the lawsuits as politically motivated efforts to undermine his campaign for the 2024 presidential election. As he navigates multiple legal battles, including a criminal conviction for falsifying business records and a civil fraud judgment against his family business, Trump continues to appeal various court rulings.

The appeals court described the $83.3 million award as justified, noting that it included $18.3 million for emotional and reputational damages and $65 million in punitive damages. The judges emphasized the “extraordinary and egregious facts” of the case, pointing out that Trump’s public attacks on Carroll intensified as the trial approached, demonstrating malice and deceit over several years.

In a statement released on the same day, Trump’s legal team expressed confidence that he would continue to prevail against what they termed “Liberal Lawfare” as he remains focused on his mission to “Make America Great Again.”

Carroll, now 81, is a former columnist for Elle magazine who accused Trump of assaulting her in a department store dressing room during the mid-1990s. Trump initially dismissed her claims, stating she was “not my type” and accused her of fabricating the story to promote her memoir.

In his latest appeal, Trump cited a recent Supreme Court ruling that granted him broad criminal immunity, arguing that this should extend to civil liability as well. He contended that his comments about Carroll were part of his official duties as president and challenged several decisions made by the trial judge.

Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, has expressed hope for a swift conclusion to the appeals process, emphasizing the need for “justice to finally be done.” Carroll recently published a memoir detailing her legal battles against Trump, which has further drawn public attention to the case.

As Trump continues to contest the verdicts and claims against him, the legal landscape remains complex and contentious, reflecting the intertwining of personal and political ramifications as he seeks to regain the presidency in the upcoming election.