Donald Trump Ordered to Pay $83.3 Million in Defamation Case by E Jean Carroll

In a significant legal development, a New York jury has ruled that former U.S. President Donald Trump must pay $83.3 million in damages for defaming E Jean Carroll, a columnist, in 2019. The judgment, delivered in a civil trial, comprises $18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages, highlighting the severity of the case.

This verdict follows a previous ruling where Mr. Trump was found to have defamed Ms. Carroll and sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. Despite his intentions to appeal, the jury's decision marks a notable moment in the legal battle between the former president and the columnist.

The compensatory damages aim to address the harm done to Ms. Carroll's reputation and emotional well-being, while the punitive damages are designed to deter Mr. Trump from making further derogatory statements against her.

The case has garnered widespread attention, with Ms. Carroll's attorney Robbie Kaplan stating that the verdict is a testament to the law's applicability to everyone, regardless of their status. The trial's high-profile nature led to Judge Lewis Kaplan advising jurors to maintain anonymity due to the case's sensitivity.

Mr. Trump, who has consistently denied the allegations and claims he never met Ms. Carroll, criticized the verdict on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling the legal proceedings a "Biden Directed Witch Hunt" and a misuse of the legal system.

This case is one of several legal challenges facing Mr. Trump, including four criminal cases involving a total of 91 felony counts, making him the first U.S. president to be charged with a crime. These developments come as Mr. Trump, a key figure in the Republican party, prepares for a potential rematch against President Joe Biden in the November 2024 general election.

For more insights into this case and its implications, visit our legal news section and explore our analysis of high-profile defamation cases.