In a landmark ruling, former President Donald Trump has been ordered to pay $83 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll, a renowned journalist who accused him of sexual assault. This verdict not only brings justice to the victim but also sets an important precedent for holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions. The payment is not just about the monetary compensation; it symbolizes a necessary step towards ensuring accountability and safeguarding the rights of survivors.
The jury awarded Carroll $65 million in punitive damages, $11 million for the damage to her reputation and another $7.3 million. Trump is almost certain to appeal the verdict.
Despite the size of the penalty, the verdict was not unexpected. Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled even before the trial that Trump had in fact defamed Carroll. The jury only had to decide how much Trump owed her — not if he was liable. This is the second time Trump has been ordered pay Carroll; last year he was mandated by a jury to pay $5 million for a separate instance of defamation.
In response, the Trump 2024 campaign issued a statement arguing, without offering evidence, that the trial is a "political weapon."
Earlier in the trial Judge Lewis Kaplan (no relation of the plaintiff's lawyer) advised jurors not to use their real names with each other due to the sensitive nature of the case.
As it concluded, he advised them that they were free to discuss their experience. But he added that in his opinion they should not tell anyone they worked on this case.
Mr Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, or even that he has ever met Ms Carroll, including on Friday morning.
Trump’s lawyer, Habba, told jurors that Carroll had been enriched by her accusations against Trump and achieved fame she had craved. She said no damages were warranted.
To support Carroll’s request for millions in damages, Northwestern University sociologist Ashlee Humphreys told the jury that Trump’s 2019 statements had caused between $7.2 million and $12.1 million in harm to Carroll’s reputation.
When Trump finally testified, Kaplan gave him little room to maneuver, because Trump could not be permitted to try to revive issues settled in the first trial.
The final question for the jury is whether if in making his June 22, 2019, statement, Trump "acted maliciously, out of hatred, 2 ill will, or spite, vindictively, or in wanton, reckless, or willful disregard of Ms. Carroll’s rights."
For the second and third question, if answering yes, the jury must also put an amount for punitive damages Trump should owe Carroll.
Read more
North Korea launching new nuclear-capable weapon The Urgent Need for Preparedness: A Wake-Up Call from the San Bernardino EarthquakeSarah H
Also on site :
- Head of worker safety agency NIOSH restored, ahead of RFK Jr. hearing
- Trump Claims Qatari Plane to Temporarily Serve as Air Force One
- USA Today names 2 SF night markets among top 5 in the US