A jury has recently reached a verdict in the defamation damages trial against Donald Trump, ruling that he must pay E. Jean Carroll a staggering $83.3 million. This comes after Trump was found liable for defaming Carroll in September, as well as being held liable for sexually abusing her in a separate civil case. The former President had already been ordered to pay Carroll $5 million in the sexual abuse case, which he is currently appealing.
The astronomical figure awarded to Carroll shocked the courtroom in NYC, with the majority of the amount coming in the form of punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to teach a lesson and are often substantial. Trump was ordered to pay about $65 million in punitive damages and approximately $18.3 million in compensatory damages, which represent the harm Carroll claims to have suffered due to Trump’s statements about her.
Carroll’s lawsuit revolved around two specific statements made by Trump. One in which he referred to her story about the alleged sexual assault as a “con job” and another in which he denied ever having met her, which she claimed was a lie. Carroll’s attorneys sought $12 million in actual damages for each statement, but ultimately she received around 70% of that amount.
The significant amount of punitive damages awarded, $65 million, speaks volumes about the jury’s intention to send a message to the former President. It is expected that the judge will uphold the jury’s recommendation, as there has been no indication from Lewis Kaplan that he believes the amount should be lowered.
Upon hearing the verdict, Carroll was reportedly emotional, while Trump expressed his discontent on his social media platform, Truth Social. He called the verdict “absolutely ridiculous” and claimed that it was part of a “Biden Directed Witch Hunt” targeting him and the Republican Party. Trump added that he believes his First Amendment rights have been taken away, emphasizing that this is not the America he knows.
The outcome of this trial has significant implications for both Trump and the #MeToo movement. It serves as a reminder that individuals in positions of power can be held accountable for their actions and words. For Carroll, the verdict represents a victory in her fight for justice and serves as a powerful message to survivors of sexual assault that their voices matter and will be heard.
