NEW YORK — A federal appeals court has recently affirmed a jury’s decision that Donald Trump sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll, marking a significant affirmation against the former president. Carroll, 81, is now set to receive a $5 million award from Trump after a jury found him liable earlier this year. The judgment, while substantial for both parties involved, is just the beginning of a likely extended legal battle as Trump’s representatives have indicated intentions to continue the appeal process.
The verdict, initially rendered in May 2023, compelled Trump to pay $5 million in damages for sexual abuse and defamation against Carroll, a writer. Following Trump’s appeal, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the verdict in a detailed 77-page decision, dismissing the various legal challenges posed by Trump’s defense.
Despite the court’s ruling, Trump’s spokesperson expressed that the re-elected president would contest the verdict further, hinting at the ongoing polarization surrounding the case. The persistence of appeals could potentially delay the payment further into the next year, legal analysts suggest.
Since the verdict, the owed amount, which has accumulated an additional $500,000 in interest, has been held in a bank account managed by the federal trial court. Should Trump forego a further appeal within the next 30 days, the total amount due, now amounting to $5.5 million plus subsequent interest, will automatically be transferred to Carroll and her legal team.
Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, expressed satisfaction with the decision, thanking the appellate court for its meticulous examination of the arguments presented. Meanwhile, Trump’s team continues to label the accusations as baseless, framing them as politically motivated attacks against him.
Trump’s legal recourse includes a potential en banc review request, where the full bench of the Second Circuit would reconsider the case, or an escalation to the U.S. Supreme Court. The likelihood of a Supreme Court review remains uncertain, as such a decision will not be considered until much later next year.
Additionally, the former president faces another legal battle from Carroll, stemming from a separate January 2024 trial involving further defamation claims, where a jury awarded Carroll an additional $83.3 million. Trump is appealing this judgment as well.
In the defense’s argument during the appeals, issues were raised regarding the evidence admitted during the trial, particularly the inclusion of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape and testimonies from other women alleging similar misconduct by Trump. Despite these objections, the appellate judges concluded that the jury had reasonable grounds to see a pattern in Trump’s behavior toward women, supporting the verdict.
This ongoing legal saga not only involves substantial monetary awards but also carries significant reputational implications, particularly as Trump navigates his role in political and public life following his re-election.
As this complex and high-profile legal drama unfolds, further developments are anticipated as both parties prepare for the continuation of their legal strategies, setting the stage for deeper discussions on accountability and justice in high-profile sexual misconduct cases.
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