Donald Trump was found guilty by a New York jury of defaming writer E Jean Carroll in 2019 while he was US president, and he must pay $83.3 million (£65 million).
$18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive penalties make up the punishment in the civil trial.
In a prior legal action, it was determined that Mr. Trump had sexually abused Ms. Carroll in the 1990s and defamed her.
Declaring the case a witch hunt and the result “Absolutely ludicrous,” he pledged to challenge the most recent decision.
The purpose of the compensatory damages is to make up for the harm the jury determined his remarks had caused to her reputation and psychological health.
The panel was also required to devise a punitive measure meant to deter Mr. Trump from voicing his opposition to her in the future.
Also Read: Some very important (well, maybe not all that important) primary details to keep in mind
The seven-man, two-woman jury took less than three hours to deliberate and render a decision on Friday afternoon.
In a statement, Ms. Carroll said, “This is a major loss for every bully who has attempted to hold a woman down, and a wonderful win for any woman who rises up after she’s been pushed down.”
“Today’s decision illustrates that the law applies to everyone in our society, even the affluent, even the famous, even past presidents,” stated Robbie Kaplan, her attorney, in a statement.
Because of the delicate nature of the case, Judge Lewis Kaplan—who is unrelated to the plaintiff’s attorney—advised jurors early in the trial not to use their true names with one another.
He told them they were welcome to talk about their experience once it ended. However, he went on to say that he thought it best if they kept their involvement in this case a secret.
Even on Friday morning, Mr. Trump has denied any misconduct and has refuted even having met Ms. Carroll.
However, after the verdict, he held back from going after her personally when he criticized the decision in a post on his social networking site, Truth Social.
He stated, “I completely disagree with both rulings and will be appealing this whole Biden Witch Hunt was directed against the Republican Party and myself.
“The legal system in our country is out of control and becoming utilized for political purposes. Every First Amendment right has been taken away by them. I am not in America.
He was found guilty of sexually assaulting Ms. Carroll, a magazine columnist, in a dressing room of the Bergdorf Goodman department store in the 1990s at a civil trial held last year.
The jury also determined that he had defamed her by declaring her claims untrue, and he was forced to reimburse her for damages of almost $5 million.
Also Read: Claims made by Fani Willis – Election subversion case
The lawsuit, which concluded on Friday, centred on several disparaging remarks made by Mr. Trump in 2019.
Mr. Trump was not present to hear the decision because he had abruptly departed the court earlier in the day with his Secret Service protection detail.
Judge Kaplan’s threat to put Mr. Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, in jail for speaking after he had instructed her to stop was the immediate cause of his departure.
“You’re going to have to spend some time behind bars. Now have a seat,” he said to Ms. Habba.
Earlier, when Mr. Trump had whispered in court that the case was a “con job” and a “witch hunt,” the judge had threatened to expel him. The judge issued a warning before reading the decision, saying, “We will have no outbursts.”
A representative for Ms. Carroll said the court during Friday’s final statements that the former president’s denial of having sexually assaulted her had seriously damaged her image.
“Punishing Donald Trump is another goal of this litigation… The goal of this trial is to permanently stop him,” she stated.
The court was previously informed by Ms. Carroll’s counsel that Mr. Trump’s remarks caused her to receive a barrage of death threats, rape threats, and hate mail.
The legal representative for Mr. Trump had contended that since Ms. Carroll’s accusations had “more holes than Swiss cheese,” he should not compensate her for them.
According to Ms. Habba, her client was not at fault for Ms. Carroll’s threats.
As the first president in US history to face criminal charges, Mr. Trump is accused of 91 felonies in four separate criminal trials.
He has frequently asserted that Democratic US President Joe Biden’s associates are masterminding the several court challenges he is facing.
In the main election that will take place in November 2024, Mr. Trump—the front-runner of the Republican party for the presidency—looks certain to face Mr. Biden again.
Will Carroll ever see the money?
Carroll will need to wait a while to receive the money that the jury decided to grant him.
Carroll was given a total of $5 million in damages by the jury in the first defamation trial last year, including roughly $3 million for defamation. The jury concluded that Trump had sexually assaulted Carroll and had defamed her in 2022 when he refuted the claims.
Trump announced he will appeal this conviction as well shortly after Friday’s, and that verdict is currently being contested.
Ridiculously outrageous! In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “I will be appealing since I completely disagree with both decisions.”
In an effort to fulfill the verdict from the defamation case, Trump placed $5.5 million into a court-controlled account last year. Carroll, however, would not be able to access the money until all appeals, including one that may go all the way to the US Supreme Court, are resolved.
Trump, who is already appealing a New York state judge’s decision that found him responsible for fraud, is no stranger to endless appeals and delays. He is preparing to appeal the judge’s decision in the larger New York attorney general’s civil fraud case, which may begin as early as next week.
Sources:
Max Matza and Kayla Epstein – https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68109999
By Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell – https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/26/politics/takeaways-jury-verdict-trump-e-jean-carroll-defamation-trial/index.html
-
Sen. Mark Warner vs. The Biden Administration: A Future Political Showdown?
As the 2024 presidential election looms on the horizon, the political landscape in the United States is poised for dramatic shifts and potential conflicts. Among the most anticipated developments is the emerging rivalry between Senator Mark Warner and the Biden administration. This article delves into the history, recent developments, and future implications of this political…
-
Minnesota Vikings – Historic Background and Modern Analysis
The Minnesota Vikings, a staple in the National Football League (NFL), boast a rich history and a passionate fan base. Since their inception in 1960, the Vikings have experienced highs and lows, producing legendary players, memorable moments, and a legacy of resilience. This article delves into the storied history of the Vikings, their evolution over…
-
Khyree Jackson Is A Rising Star in College Football
Khyree Jackson has rapidly become one of the most talked-about names in college football. His journey from high school standout to college sensation is an inspiring story of talent, perseverance, and dedication. This article delves into Jackson’s background, his achievements, and what the future holds for this promising athlete. Early Life and High School Career…
Dwayne Paschke specializes in writing, management, development, design and Search Engine Optimization. Although he has worked for 8 years in the industry, he never found an ideal person to work with as a partner. Later, he found Sebastian Pearson, and they both found specific understanding between them. Both of them divided their tasks in this project and are running this venture successfully.