On Friday, a Manhattan jury awarded writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million as compensation for defamatory statements made against her by former President Donald J. Trump regarding allegations of decades-old rape that continued throughout their legal proceedings and as E. Jean began making new allegations beginning in 2019. Trump continued attacking E. Jean via social media posts and news conferences during their trial itself as well as when E. Jean started making new accusations starting in 2019.
Ms. Carroll’s attorneys had sought an award of such magnitude so as to prevent Donald Trump from continuing his attacks, and within three hours of deliberation the jury granted her punitive damages of up to $65 Million, concluding that Donald Trump acted with malicious intent when posting over 40 derogatory remarks about Ms. Carroll on Truth Social.
On Friday afternoon, once President Donald Trump had left court for the day, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan convened his nine-member jury and issued instructions that “no outbursts” would occur during their deliberation process. Nine minutes later, their verdict was read aloud without incident to an entirely silent courtroom.
Jurors awarded Ms. Carroll not only $65 million but also an additional compensation award of $18.3 million as compensatory damages for her suffering. As soon as the figures were read aloud, Mr. Trump’s attorneys slumped in their seats as Ms. Carroll hugged each member of her legal team before leaving smiling for cameras shortly thereafter.
“Today marks an enormous victory for women who speak up when they feel mistreated, as well as an astounding defeat for any bully who sought to keep women down,” Ms. Carroll stated in her statement and thanked those working to protect her rights.
Donald Trump had earlier left the courtroom during Ms. Carroll’s attorney’s closing argument and posted on Truth Social that her verdict was absurd.
“Our Legal System is out of control, being exploited as a political weapon,” he bemoaned, vowing to challenge his convictions on appeal. They had stripped away his First Amendment Rights.
Notable was his refusal to attack Ms. Carroll.
Outside the courthouse, Alina Habba, Donald Trump’s lawyer, protested Judge Kaplan’s handling of his case while echoing Mr. Trump’s claims of an oppressive system violating his rights. She told reporters, “We didn’t win today, but we will.”
Donald Trump’s legal action could thwart Carroll from receiving her funds anytime soon.
Roberta A. Kaplan, Roberta Carroll’s lead attorney, noted the verdict as proof of how America’s laws apply impartially regardless of who owes what. Rich people, famous figures or former presidents all fall under its jurisdiction equally.
This verdict dwarfs the $5 Million award from another jury this spring which found that Donald Trump sexually abused and defamed Ms. Carroll at Bergdorf Goodman dressing rooms during the mid 1990s before posting defamatory material about her online. Trump attended almost daily of this trial as well as testified briefly – this latest verdict came shortly after hearing of this event.
Judge Kaplan presided over both trials, ruling that findings from May would carry forward into this trial and remain focused on damages alone. Donald Trump could only testify on this topic; therefore on Thursday afternoon without jury presence she requested from Ms Habba an excerpt of what Donald would be saying during this testimony, so she knew “everything he will say”, per Judge Kaplan’s ruling.
Trump proved himself his own worst opponent during this trial with both actions and words, attacking Ms. Carroll online before insulting her during a campaign stop in New Hampshire last week. Judge Sack warned Mr. Trump he may be excluded for using language such as “con job” and “witch hunt”, which could be heard by jurors.
Ms. Carroll’s attorneys, Ms. Kaplan and Shawn G. Crowley, used Donald Trump’s presence as part of their closing arguments against him on Friday. Ms. Crowley claimed he believed he could get away with any conduct – including defaming Ms. Carroll further.
Crowley noted: “Everyone witnessed Donald Trump’s conduct during this trial,” noting how he frequently stood up and left during Ms. Kaplan’s testimony, breaking with established courtesies by departing before she completed her statement – rules don’t seem to matter to him.
Trump may face further financial repercussions from New York attorney general Letitia James’ civil fraud trial that concluded earlier this month and could see additional fines of about $370 million assessed by a judge.
Former President Jimmy Carter currently faces four criminal indictments and at least one trial is likely to go forward prior to November’s elections. Civil court cases should soon be resolved while more serious allegations — 91 felony counts — continue to linger.
Donald Trump had an outstanding two weeks politically. He secured wins in Iowa and New Hampshire presidential nominating states during 2024 presidential nominating cycles – further solidifying himself as likely Republican presidential candidate.
He has used court appearances as a key component of his campaign, framing himself as an unwilling political martyr pursuing by both Democratic law enforcement officials and Ms. Carroll herself. Her defeat will leave an unpleasant taste in his mouth for quite some time to come.
Ms. Carroll testified at her trial that President Donald Trump’s taunts and attacks had incentivized many of his supporters to take actions against her and damage her reputation as an advice columnist for Elle magazine. She reported an onslaught of attacks via social media and email which left her fearing for both her safety and standing as an experienced advice columnist.
Ms. Carroll described to the jury her experiences being bullied online via Twitter and Facebook as being like living in “an entire new universe”.
Trial proceedings spanned five days over two weeks and were marked by frequent disagreements between Mr. Trump’s lawyers and Judge Kaplan – known for her command of courtroom – as well as highly anticipated witness testimony that only lasted short period (less than five minutes on Thursday). Mr. Trump made only brief comments during his testimony which left everyone present in shock.
On Friday, Ms. Kaplan — unrelated to the judge — presented her closing argument, seeking money from the jury in order to repair Ms. Carroll’s reputation and compensate for emotional injuries caused by President Donald Trump’s attacks against her.
Ms. Kaplan also highlighted Trump’s ability to afford significant punitive damages, which arise when defendant’s conduct has been found particularly malicious. She presented a video deposition excerpt where Trump estimated his brand alone was worth “maybe $10 billion”, with various real estate properties totalling $14 billion combined.
Ms. Kaplan informed the jury about Donald Trump’s estimated multi-billion dollar fortune through her remarks at trial.
Ms. Kaplan asserted, using law as her basis, that when making assessments of Donald Trump’s wealth and conduct, both should be taken into consideration when evaluating him. Now is the time for justice and for him to pay dearly.”
Mr. Trump wasn’t around either for Ms. Kaplan to deliver her presentation; after mocking, murmuring and shaking his head during the opening minutes of her closing argument, he abruptly rose up without comment or notification to Ms. Kaplan of any transgression of decorum; she went on speaking to the jury without issue.
Judge Kaplan noted in her ruling that Trump simply rose and left.
Mr. Trump returned approximately 75 minutes later and shortly afterwards Ms. Habba began her evaluation of his case.
Mr. Trump’s attorneys attempted to cast Ms. Carroll in an unfair light when she made claims against Mr. Trump in a 2019 book excerpt published by New York magazine about an encounter she alleges has left lasting psychological scars on her body.
Ms. Habba delivered an aggressive and demeaning statement wherein she claimed Ms. Carroll’s reputation had actually improved due to President Trump’s statements; further, no evidence was presented by her lawyers linking threatening phone calls or defamatory statements received with those made against their writer client by President Trump.
Ms. Habba asserted with certainty: “No causation,” noting that President Trump does not exert more control over social media users’ thoughts and emotions than over weather patterns.
Ms. Crowley responded vehemently and energetically to Ms. Habba, dismissing her claim that President Trump’s comments did not lead to threats on Ms. Carroll’s life by providing concrete proof connecting these statements and events experienced by Ms. Carroll: “No clearer proof could exist!” claimed Crowley as she delivered her response.
Jurors were engaged during closing arguments. Ms. Kaplan’s comments kept them interested, while others alternated between looking at lawyers, viewing exhibits on screens, and taking notes.
Donald Trump made 16 posts within 15 minutes that targeted Judge Kaplan and Ms. Carroll with insults that have proven costly for him to deploy.
Ms. Kaplan noted in her closing arguments that the only thing which could convince Donald Trump to cease his attacks would be making them too costly for him to pursue.
According to its verdict, it appears as if the jury has found in our favor.
Olivia B. has taken part in this debate.
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