Donald Trump Ordered to Pay $83.3 Million in Defamation Case by E. Jean Carroll
A New York jury has ruled that former President Donald Trump must pay $83.3 million in damages for defaming columnist E. Jean Carroll during his presidency.
The civil trial awarded $18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages.
The compensatory damages account for harm to Carroll’s reputation and emotional well-being caused by Trump’s defamatory comments.
The jury also imposed punitive damages to discourage Trump from making further defamatory statements against Carroll.
In a previous civil case, Trump was found to have defamed Carroll and sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. Trump denies any wrongdoing and vows to appeal the recent ruling, dismissing it as a witch hunt and calling the verdict “absolutely ridiculous.”
Carroll’s attorney, Robbie Kaplan, stated, “Today’s verdict proves that the law applies to everyone in our country, even the rich, even the famous, even former presidents.” Carroll, commenting on the victory, said, “This is a great victory for every woman who stands up when she’s been knocked down.”
IMAGE SOURCE,REUTERS
The case focused on defamatory comments made by Trump in 2019.
This follows a civil trial last year that found Trump liable for defamation and ordered him to pay around $5 million in damages for denying Carroll’s sexual assault accusations.
Trump, facing multiple legal challenges, including criminal cases, alleges that the legal actions against him are politically motivated.
As he plans to appeal the defamation case ruling, Trump criticizes the legal system, claiming it infringes on First Amendment rights.
Despite the legal battles, Trump remains a prominent figure in the Republican Party and is considered a frontrunner for the 2024 presidential election.
The verdict adds another layer to the legal controversies surrounding the former president.
