New York City, NY – Former President Donald Trump’s attorneys have secured a $92 million bond to support a jury’s award to E. Jean Carroll in a defamation lawsuit. Carroll, a writer and advice columnist, accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the 1990s. The former president has consistently denied the allegations.
In a ruling last month, Justice Doris Ling-Cohan rejected Trump’s effort to delay the litigation and allow him to appeal the decision that the case could proceed while he was in office. Following this, Trump’s attorneys were required to post a bond equivalent to the monetary amount of the jury award.
Carroll filed the defamation lawsuit against Trump after he called her a liar and claimed he had never met her. The incident occurred when Carroll accused him of raping her in a Manhattan department store dressing room.
Trump’s legal team has vowed to continue fighting the case, including presenting evidence to challenge Carroll’s allegations. They argue that his statements were protected under his right to free speech as a public figure.
The size of the bond reflects the potential financial impact this case could have on the former president. Nonetheless, it is unclear whether the bond amount will be obtained by Carroll, as it is not uncommon for plaintiffs in defamation cases to face challenges in collecting the full amount awarded.
This high-profile legal battle is seen as significant in the context of the #MeToo movement, highlighting ongoing discussions around sexual assault allegations, accountability for public figures, and the balance between free speech and defamation laws.
As the proceedings continue, experts anticipate that the case may have broader implications for future defamation suits against public figures, as well as the legal protections afforded to victims of sexual assault who come forward to share their experiences. The outcome of this case could potentially shape the legal landscape surrounding defamation and #MeToo-related litigation in the United States.