Trump Ordered to Pay $83.3 Million to E. Jean Carroll

The news come directly from our source, Reader Wall. A Manhattan jury came down with a massive verdict against Donald Trump on Friday, compelling the former president to pay $83.3 Million to E. Jean Carroll, a writer who had accused Trump of defaming her by denying that he had sexually assaulted her. Notably, this payout amount is significantly higher than the $10 million that Carroll had originally requested.

Details of the Trial

The verdict followed a five-day trial. Jurors took less than three hours to deliberate about their verdict. Trump, who is reportedly seeking to retake the White House in the upcoming U.S. election, has been vocal about the case, even though he was not present in the courtroom when the verdict was delivered. Trump, expressing his displeasure at the verdict, posted on social media that “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!”

E. Jean Carroll, aged 80, expressed satisfaction with the verdict. She said, “This is a great victory for every woman who stands up when she’s been knocked down, and a huge defeat for every bully who has tried to keep a woman down.”

The Case

Carroll, a former Elle magazine advice columnist, had sued Trump back in 2019 for his denial of having raped her in the mid-1990s. She asserted that Trump’s denials had “shattered” her reputation as a credible journalist. The jury, consisting of seven men and two women, awarded her $18.3 million in compensatory damages, which included $11 million for reputation damage, along with $65 million in punitive damages to discourage Trump from further defamation.

Further, Trump maintained that he had never met Carroll, and that her allegations were a mere fabrication to boost the sales of her memoir. His defense insisted that Carroll was simply seeking fame, enjoying the support she received from her sympathizers.

Previous Trials and Verdicts

In May 2023, Trump was ordered by a different jury to pay $5 million to Carroll for a similar denial made the previous October. They decided that Trump had defamed and sexually assaulted Carroll. He has made an appeal against this decision and placed $5.55 million with the Manhattan court during that process.

Political Consequences

Alina Habba, leading Trump’s defense in Carroll’s case, believes that the verdict will not deter them from continuing their fight and confidently predicted that Trump’s appeal will be successful. However, amidst these legal setbacks, Trump has been projecting himself as a victim of false accusations and a courts system which he deems “biased” and “out of control”.

The Closing Arguments

During the closing arguments, Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, insisted that Trump behaved as if the law didn’t bind him, and that he should pay dearly for his actions. On the other hand, Habba argued that the release of excerpts from Carroll’s memoir, which led to the initial attacks on her credibility, was not instigated by Trump’s denials. Habba also claimed that Carroll enjoyed her newfound fame after coming forward with her allegations and felt “happier than ever”.

This case has attracted significant attention due to its potential implications on Trump’s political future. The conclusion of this case, along with its preceding trials, marks a turning moment in the fight against sexual harassment and assault, reflecting the growing importance of accountability and justice within our society.