In a significant legal development, a New York jury has determined that Donald Trump should pay $83.3 million for defaming columnist E. Jean Carroll in 2019 while he was the U.S. president. The civil trial awarded $18.3 million for compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages, marking a consequential verdict in a case that centers on allegations of sexual assault and defamation.
This legal saga stems from a previous civil case where Donald Trump was found to have defamed and sexually assaulted E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s. The recent trial specifically focused on defamatory comments made by Trump in 2019. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, including any acknowledgment of having met Ms. Carroll. However, the jury found in favor of Ms. Carroll, delivering a significant blow to the former president.
The compensatory damages awarded by the jury aim to account for the harm that Trump's comments inflicted on Ms. Carroll's reputation and emotional well-being. In addition to compensatory damages, the jury imposed punitive damages, intending to deter Trump from making further defamatory remarks. The jury, comprised of seven men and two women, deliberated for less than three hours before reaching their verdict on Friday afternoon.
Ms. Carroll hailed the verdict as a victory for women standing up against those who seek to suppress them. In a statement, she said, "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." Her attorney, Robbie Kaplan, emphasized that the ruling demonstrates the applicability of the law to everyone, regardless of their wealth or fame.
During the trial, Judge Lewis Kaplan (no relation to Ms. Carroll's lawyer) instructed jurors to use pseudonyms with each other due to the sensitive nature of the case. Trump, who was not present for the verdict announcement, left the courtroom earlier with his Secret Service security detail. His departure followed a moment where the judge threatened to jail Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, for continuing to speak after being instructed to be quiet.
Trump, reacting to the verdict, refrained from direct attacks on Ms. Carroll but criticized the outcome on his social media platform, Truth Social. He called the case a "witch hunt" and expressed strong disagreement with the jury's decision. Trump asserted that the legal system was out of control and being used as a political weapon, claiming a violation of First Amendment rights.
This case adds to Trump's legal challenges, as he faces four criminal cases involving a total of 91 felony counts. The former president has consistently portrayed these legal actions as politically motivated attacks orchestrated by allies of President Joe Biden. As Trump contemplates a potential 2024 presidential run, the outcomes of these legal battles become crucial factors in shaping his political future.