New York City, USA – A federal jury in New York City has ordered former President Donald Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll more than $83 million in damages after he denied allegations that he raped her in the 1990s. The jury’s verdict was announced by federal Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.
The jury determined that Trump must pay $18.3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $65 million in punitive damages. This decision comes after a previous trial last year in which the jury cleared Trump of rape but found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation, resulting in a $5 million judgment against him.
After the verdict was read, Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social to express his disagreement, calling the trial a “Biden Directed Witch Hunt” and criticizing the legal system for being used as a “Political Weapon.” He stated, “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights.”
E. Jean Carroll, who alleged that Trump raped her at a department store in Manhattan in 1996, was seeking $12 million in damages. She celebrated the ruling, calling it a “great victory” for women who come forward with claims. Carroll thanked her legal team for their efforts.
The decision has generated strong reactions from both sides. Rev. Franklin Graham, head of Samaritan’s Purse and The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, showed his support for Trump, accusing Democrats of using the legal system to target the former president. Similarly, Mike Davis, founder and president of the Article III Project, labeled the verdict as part of the Democrats’ “lawfare and election interference” against Trump.
However, not everyone agrees with these sentiments. Republican presidential candidate and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley applauded the jury’s decision, stating that America can do better than Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Haley’s comment drew criticism from Texas GOP Rep. Lance Gooden, who called out her mega-donor’s involvement in the lawsuit.
Despite the controversy surrounding the verdict, Judge Kaplan emphasized that the law applies to everyone, including the rich and famous. He commended the jury for upholding the rule of law and thanked E. Jean Carroll for her courage in standing up to Trump.
This ruling adds another layer of legal battles for Trump as he seeks the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election. Trump has vehemently denied the allegations made by Carroll and has repeatedly criticized the trial as an attack on him.