Jury orders Trump to pay $83 million for defaming columnist E. Jean Carroll,
In a stunning courtroom victory for writer E. Jean Carroll, a New York jury on Friday ordered former President Donald Trump to pay a staggering $83.3 million in damages for defaming her by denying her accusation of sexual assault. The verdict marks a significant chapter in Carroll's years-long legal battle against Trump, and raises fresh questions about his potential vulnerability in other ongoing legal cases.
The jury deliberations, which lasted less than three hours, followed a two-week trial in which Carroll recounted her harrowing alleged assault by Trump in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. Trump vehemently denied the accusation, calling Carroll a "phony" and a "nut job" in a series of public statements and tweets.
The jury awarded Carroll $18.3 million in compensatory damages, including $11 million for reputational harm and $7.3 million for emotional distress. They also awarded a hefty $65 million in punitive damages, reflecting their finding that Trump acted with malice in defaming Carroll.
"I'm so grateful to the jury for seeing through the nonsense," Carroll said in a statement following the verdict. "This verdict is for every woman who has ever been silenced by a powerful man. You are not alone. You are heard. You are valued. And you have the right to seek justice."
Trump's lawyers have vowed to appeal the verdict, calling it "absolutely ridiculous" and claiming that the judge made "serious errors" during the trial. However, legal experts say that Trump faces an uphill battle in overturning the jury's decision.
The $83.3 million judgment against Trump is the largest defamation award ever issued in the United States. It dwarfs the $140 million awarded to Hulk Hogan in 2016 in a case against Gawker Media, which was later reduced to $49.4 million on appeal.
The verdict against Trump could have significant repercussions for his future legal prospects. He is currently facing multiple other lawsuits, including a defamation suit filed by Summer Zervos, another woman who accused him of sexual misconduct. The Carroll verdict could embolden other alleged victims to come forward and file suit against Trump.
Beyond the legal implications, the verdict is a major blow to Trump's reputation and could further damage his standing with women voters. It also raises questions about whether he will be able to successfully launch another presidential campaign in 2024.
Only time will tell what the long-term impact of the Carroll verdict will be. But one thing is clear: it is a significant victory for E. Jean Carroll and a powerful reminder that even the most powerful men can be held accountable for their actions.
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