Significant Verdict: Former US President Trump Ordered to Pay $83.3m for Defamation

The Manhattan jury, in a landmark ruling, has demanded that Donald Trump, the former US President, pay a sum of $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll, an esteemed journalist and prior advice columnist for Elle magazine. Origin of this ruling emerged due to a defamation lawsuit where Carroll accused Trump of maligning her reputation over several platforms, including social media, following her rape allegations against him dating back to the mid-1990s. This news comes from the source of Reader Wall.

The Background: Carroll’s Accusations vs Trump’s Denials

Trump’s dismissal of Carroll’s allegations, rooted from an incident that allegedly occurred in a department store in Manhattan in the mid-90s, led to the defamation lawsuit against him. An integral part of this lawsuit revolved around Trump’s consistent denial of these accusations that shook Carroll’s professional credibility. This lawsuit finally led the way to the recent, iconic verdict.

A Step Forward For Women’s Rights: The Verdict

A five-day trial culminated in a huge pay-out for Carroll, involving $18.3 million for compensatory damages alongside a significant $65 million for punitive damages. This verdict is currently being seen as a pivotal point in the history of women’s rights, with Carroll claiming this as a universal victory for all women opposing intimidating figures and bullies. Trump, who was not present for the verdict, decried the legal system and argued that it was being manipulated for political biases against him.

Trump’s Legal Challenges: An Ongoing Battle

The ex-President’s legal issues are far from reaching conclusion. Along with the defamation case, Trump is facing multiple other legal impediments. He has pleaded not guilty against a whopping 91 felony charges across four criminal indictments. Adding to this, the New York Attorney General Letitia James is awaiting a decision on a massive $370 million civil fraud lawsuit lodged against Trump.

Despite the continuous legal dilemmas, Trump, who was in attendance during most of the trial, proclaims his innocence and has sworn to keep fighting these charges. Leading his defense team, Alina Habba underlines the ruling as politically influenced, given Trump’s favourable position in the forthcoming US election polls. All these news is sourced from the Reader Wall.