A New York jury dealt Donald Trump a major blow on Friday, ordering him to pay $83.3 million in damages to writer E. Jean Carroll, whom he was found to have both sexually assaulted and defamed.
Summary:
- Trump ordered to pay $83.3 million to Carroll for assault and defamation.
- Verdict exceeds expected damages and sparks Trump’s outrage.
- Jury finds Trump acted maliciously and awards significant punitive damages.
- This is not Trump’s first legal challenge related to Carroll.
- Trump faces additional criminal and civil legal cases.
- Verdict seen as a victory for survivors and accountability for the powerful.
The hefty verdict, exceeding even Carroll’s own request for $10 million, sparked an audible gasp in the courtroom. Trump reacted swiftly, blasting the decision as “ridiculous” and pledging an appeal.
The jury reached their verdict after just three hours of deliberation. Notably, Trump stormed out of the court earlier during the trial but returned for closing arguments. He was absent when the hefty damages were announced.
The breakdown of the verdict reveals a clear message: $65 million in punitive damages for malicious public comments about Carroll, $7.3 million in compensation for emotional harm, and $11 million for a program to repair Carroll’s reputation.
This isn’t Trump’s first legal entanglement with Carroll. In a separate case, another jury already found him liable for the 1996 assault and subsequent defamation in 2022. Trump’s response? A barrage of insults on Truth Social attacking Carroll, the trial, and even the judge.
Also Read: E. Jean Carroll Testifies Against Donald Trump in a Battery and Defamation Case
His brief courtroom appearance Thursday saw him deny instructing anyone to harm Carroll with his statements and answer a limited set of questions under tight rein to prevent further outbursts. Despite not being required to attend, Trump has used the case to generate media attention and bolster his victim narrative during his 2024 presidential campaign.
However, Trump faces other legal hurdles beyond this verdict. Multiple criminal cases loom, including accusations of election fraud and business fraud.
Meanwhile, Ms. Carroll and her supporters celebrate the historic verdict, highlighting it as a symbol of courage and the power of holding the powerful accountable.
