Former President Donald Trump has been ordered by a jury to pay $83 million in defamation damages to E. Jean Carroll, a writer and columnist. The decision was made by a jury in the state of New York. Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s, which he denied. The defamation lawsuit was initiated by Carroll after Trump publicly denied knowing her and called her claims “totally false” and politically motivated.
The trial, which took place over a period of several weeks, involved witnesses testifying on both sides. The jury deliberated for multiple days before reaching their verdict. The amount awarded to Carroll consists of $64,000 in compensatory damages and $79 million in punitive damages. Carroll’s legal team argued that the high punitive damages were necessary to hold Trump accountable for his statements and deter similar behavior in the future.
This decision marks a significant legal blow to Trump, who has faced numerous legal challenges throughout his presidency and beyond. It also sends a message regarding the consequences of making defamatory statements against individuals. Defamation lawsuits are notoriously difficult to win, as they require the plaintiff to prove that statements made were false and caused harm to their reputation.
Carroll’s case gained widespread attention, as it came amid the larger #MeToo movement, which shed light on sexual misconduct allegations against powerful individuals. Carroll’s accusations against Trump were initially made public in a book excerpt published in 2019. The former president responded by claiming he had never met her and criticizing her credibility.
Legal experts have noted that Trump’s position as a public figure can complicate defamation cases, as the legal standard requires plaintiffs to prove not only that the statements were false but also that they were made with “actual malice” or reckless disregard for the truth. In this case, the jury concluded that Trump had acted with actual malice, leading to the substantial damages awarded.
Trump’s legal team has indicated that they plan to appeal the decision, and it is likely that this case will continue to draw attention as it progresses through the appeals process. The outcome of this lawsuit sets a precedent for future defamation cases involving public figures and may have broader implications for the consequences of making false statements about individuals.