New York — A federal appeals court has affirmed a substantial legal defeat for former President Donald Trump, upholding a $5 million verdict awarded to columnist E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual abuse dating back to the mid-1990s. The decision, rendered by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, supports the jury’s findings from a 2023 trial, marking a significant milestone in a series of legal battles entangling Trump with allegations of misconduct.
In a written opinion, the appellate court dismissed a series of appeals from Trump’s legal team, which argued that multiple errors had tainted the trial overseen by District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. Among these supposed errors, as Trump’s defense outlined, were the inclusion of testimony from two other women who also accused Trump of similar misconduct, and the decision to show jurors the notorious “Access Hollywood” tape. This footage, recorded in 2005, infamously captured Trump speaking crudely about his behavior toward women.
The panel’s decision articulated a clear defeat for the former president, stating, “Mr. Trump has not demonstrated that the district court erred in any of the challenged rulings.” Moreover, the judges noted that Trump failed to prove any of these alleged errors impacted his substantial rights to justify a retrial.
The legal odyssey began when Carroll, a longtime magazine writer, publicly accused Trump in a 2019 memoir of attacking her in a department store dressing room in spring 1996. The accusation led to a defamation claim after Trump denied the allegations, disparaging Carroll and her account. Trump’s vehement denials continued through successive trials, including one that culminated earlier this year in an $83.3 million judgment against him in a related defamation case.
During the defamation proceedings, the jury was instructed to accept as fact the prior jury’s finding from May 2023—that Trump had sexually abused Carroll—and deliberated on his defamatory statements made while he was president. Despite Trump testifying briefly, he was restricted from contesting the abuse finding, and his reactions during the trial were noticeably disgruntled.
Both Carroll, 81, and Trump, 78, were present during the appeal court’s oral arguments in September, highlighting the case’s high profile and the intense personal stakes involved.
Following the ruling, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, vehemently criticized the decision, framing it as a continuation of politically motivated attacks against Trump: “They demand an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded Carroll Hoax, which will continue to be appealed.”
On the other side, Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan (no relation to the judge), expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, appreciating the appellate judges for their meticulous consideration.
The reaffirmation of the jury’s verdict and the defeat of Trump’s appeal highlight not only the legal ramifications for the former president but also underscore the judicial system’s role in addressing allegations of sexual misconduct, even when involving high-profile figures.
This article was automatically generated by Open AI. The information, including people, facts, circumstances, and the narrative, may be inaccurate. For requests concerning article removals, retractions, or corrections, please email contact@publiclawlibrary.org.