US Court Affirms $ 5M Verdict Against Donald Trump for Sexual Abuse & Defamation
In a significant legal decision, a federal appeals court has upheld a $5 million jury verdict against former US President Donald Trump, affirming that he sexually abused and defamed columnist E. Jean Carroll in the mid-1990s. The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling on Monday, maintaining the Manhattan jury’s 2023 decision.
The appeals court dismissed Trump’s claims of judicial misconduct, rejecting arguments that trial Judge Lewis A. Kaplan made biased rulings. Among the contested decisions was the inclusion of the notorious “Access Hollywood” tape, where Trump was recorded making lewd comments about women in 2005. The court stated that Trump failed to prove any error in the trial that would warrant overturning the jury’s verdict.
“We conclude that Mr. Trump has not demonstrated that the district court erred in any of the challenged rulings,” the three-judge panel wrote.
E. Jean Carroll, a prominent magazine columnist, alleged that Trump assaulted her in a New York City department store dressing room during the spring of 1996. According to Carroll’s testimony, what began as a friendly encounter escalated into a violent attack. In her 2019 memoir, Carroll first detailed the incident publicly, leading to sharp denials and defamatory statements by Trump.
The court case took a dramatic turn in May 2023. A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. They awarded Carroll $5 million. Trump denied the allegations. He did not attend the trial. However, he briefly testified during a related defamation case earlier in 2024..
Carroll expressed gratitude for the ruling through her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, who commended the appeals court for its careful consideration. Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, dismissed the decision as part of ongoing political attacks, labeling the case a “Democrat-funded Carroll Hoax.”
This case underscores the enduring legal challenges Trump faces as he continues his political career. The decision affirms Carroll’s claims, holding Trump accountable for the events of 1996 and his subsequent defamatory comments.
