New York, NY – Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers are seeking a new trial to give him an opportunity to present his case to a jury regarding his controversial treatment of writer E. Jean Carroll after she accused him of sexual assault five years ago. The lawyers are requesting this new trial in light of their ongoing challenges to the $83.3 million awarded to Carroll in January by a Manhattan jury. This award brings the total owed by Trump to Carroll to $88.3 million, following an additional $5 million awarded to Carroll by another jury last May for defamation.
The January jury had been instructed by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to accept the previous jury’s findings and only determine the amount Trump owed Carroll for two statements he made in 2019, after excerpts from Carroll’s memoir were published. According to Carroll, these comments damaged her career and led to threats she received online. While Trump did not attend the May trial, he was actively present during the recent trial, expressing his disapproval from the defense table. Judge Kaplan even had to reprimand him, threatening to ban him from the courtroom due to his disruptive behavior.
In their arguments for a new trial, Trump’s lawyers claimed that the limitations placed on his testimony influenced the jury’s decision. They contend that Trump had valid reasons for publicly denying Carroll’s allegations, including the defense of his reputation, his family, and his presidency. In 2019, Trump denied knowing Carroll and referred to her as a liar attempting to sell a memoir. However, a 1987 photograph emerged showing Trump and Carroll together with their spouses at a social event, contradicting his claim.
Carroll’s attorney has not yet responded to the request for comment. The outcome of this ongoing legal battle remains uncertain, as it revolves around the question of whether Trump’s statements about Carroll constituted defamation. Regardless, this case continues to highlight the contentious and highly polarized nature of Trump’s presidency and the impact his words have had on individuals like Carroll. The pursuit of justice and the desire to uncover the truth remain at the forefront of this legal battle.