New York, NY – Former President Donald Trump is facing a civil defamation trial brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexually assaulting her decades ago. The trial, which began on Tuesday, will determine if Trump owes Carroll additional damages for comments he made about her.
Last year, a separate civil case found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, resulting in a $5 million judgment against him. However, this trial will concentrate solely on the question of additional damages for the separate comments made by Trump.
During the opening statements, attorneys for Carroll and Trump presented conflicting accounts of the events following her initial public accusation. Trump vehemently denied Carroll’s claims at the time, stating she was “totally lying” and “not my type.” Carroll’s attorney argued that Trump’s comments intensified the trauma she experienced and triggered a wave of harassment.
Carroll’s lawyer, Shawn Crowley, emphasized the significant impact of Trump’s words, stating, “He was president, and when he spoke, the world listened. He used his influential platform to tear her reputation to shreds and defame her.”
Trump’s defense team countered by arguing that the former president was merely defending himself. They suggested that rather than destroying her reputation, Carroll’s profile continued to grow, stating, “She craves fame and seeks it wherever she can get it.”
This trial marks the second time that Carroll and Trump have faced off in court. Carroll alleges that Trump assaulted her in a dressing room at an upscale Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. In addition to defamation, she also sued him for battery.
US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, who presided over the previous trial, ruled that the jury’s verdict demonstrated Trump’s comments about Carroll were false. He emphasized that this new trial would solely focus on the question of damages.
Trump, who is currently appealing last year’s verdict, was present in the courtroom to observe jury selection. He did not attend the trial last year. Carroll’s attorneys have indicated they may call Trump as a witness in this trial.
Aside from this defamation case, Trump is a defendant in four separate criminal cases. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing and characterized the cases against him as politically motivated.
The jury in this trial will remain anonymous to protect their identities due to Trump’s rhetoric regarding the lawsuits against him. The judge has made it clear that this trial will not re-litigate Carroll’s assault claims, as those facts have already been established.
As the trial continues, Carroll is scheduled to testify on Wednesday, and the jury will determine whether Trump owes her further damages for his comments. Trump’s political aspirations and legal battles intersected as he attended the trial before proceeding to campaign events in New Hampshire.
The outcome of this trial could have significant implications for both Trump and Carroll, who has said that the #MeToo movement inspired her to go public with her accusations against the former president.