New York, January 27, 2024 — In a major legal victory for columnist E. Jean Carroll, a New York jury on Friday ordered former President Donald Trump to pay $83.3 million in damages for defaming her after she accused him of violation. The verdict marks a stunning financial and reputational blow to Trump as he campaigns for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.
The case stemmed from Carroll’s 2019 accusation that Trump assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the 1990s. Trump publicly denied the allegation, calling Carroll a “phony” and a “fraud.”
In a separate trial last year, a different jury found Trump liable for both the assault and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. Friday’s jury, however, went significantly further, awarding Carroll $18.3 million in compensatory damages — $11 million for reputational harm and $7.3 million for emotional distress — and a staggering $65 million in punitive damages.
“The jury sent a powerful message today,” said one of Carroll’s attorneys, Robbie Kaplan. “They saw Mr. Trump’s conduct for what it was: malicious, defamatory, and utterly without merit.”
Trump’s attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but have previously called the accusations “a complete fabrication” and vowed to appeal the verdict.
The hefty award will likely face legal challenges, with experts predicting a lengthy appeals process. However, the verdict already delivers a significant blow to Trump’s image and fundraising efforts and is sure to cast a shadow over his presidential campaign.
Beyond the financial implications, the case has reignited national conversations about violations and the #MeToo movement. Carroll, a longtime columnist for Elle magazine, became a prominent voice in the movement after speaking out against Trump.
“This verdict is not just for me,” Carroll said in a statement. “It’s for every woman who has been silenced by a powerful man. It’s for every woman who has been called a liar. It’s for every woman who has had to fight for her truth.”
The Trump-Carroll case is one of several legal challenges the former president faces. He is also under investigation by the Department of Justice for his role in the January 6th Capitol attack and various business dealings.
Whether Trump can overcome these legal hurdles and his damaged reputation to mount a successful presidential campaign remains to be seen. However, Friday’s verdict is a significant blow to his aspirations and underscores the enduring consequences of his actions.
DISCLAIMER: This is a factual and unbiased news report based on publicly available information.
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