A federal jury has ordered former U.S. President Donald Trump to pay $83.3 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll, a journalist who accused him of tarnishing her reputation by denying allegations of rape nearly three decades ago.
The seven-man, two-woman jury deliberated for less than three hours before reaching their verdict, awarding Carroll $18.3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $65 million in punitive damages, surpassing the $10 million she had initially sought.
Carroll, now 80, had filed the lawsuit against Trump in November 2019, following his denial of her rape allegations, which she claimed occurred in the mid-1990s at a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan.
Trump, 77, had denied ever knowing Carroll and accused her of fabricating the story to boost sales of her memoir. His legal team argued that Carroll was seeking fame and relished the attention from her supporters.
Previous trial
This verdict follows a previous ruling in May 2022, in which another jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $5 million for defamation and sexual abuse related to similar allegations. Trump is currently appealing that decision.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over both trials, confirmed that the earlier verdict was binding for this trial, leaving the jury only to determine the amount Trump should pay.
The legal battles, including Carroll’s case, have been part of Trump’s strategy to bolster his campaign to retake the White House in the November election. He faces 91 felony counts in four criminal indictments, maintaining his innocence and claiming to be a victim of politically motivated attacks.
Witch hunt
During the Carroll trial, Trump repeatedly criticized the proceedings, calling it a “con job” and a “witch hunt,” drawing admonishments from the judge.
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, argued that this trial aimed to hold Trump accountable and prevent him from repeating his denials. Trump’s defense contended that Carroll’s newfound fame, stemming from the publication of excerpts from her memoir, led to the attacks against her.
A damages expert who testified on Carroll’s behalf estimated the harm to her reputation from Trump’s statements at $7.3 million to $12.1 million.
The verdict marks another significant chapter in the legal battles surrounding Trump, whose political ambitions continue to be intertwined with his legal troubles. E. Jean Carroll, known for her “Ask E. Jean” column in Elle and appearances on major television programs, claimed that her career suffered due to Trump’s actions.
