Trump to pay $83.3 million
In a significant legal development, a New York jury on Friday directed former President Donald Trump, also a 2024 presidential candidate, to pay $83.3 million as compensation to writer E. Jean Carroll, whom he was found to have sexually assaulted and defamed. The civil order, which stunned the federal court with an audible gasp, surpassed Carroll’s defamation damages claim of over $10 million.
Responding almost immediately, Trump dismissed the verdict as “ridiculous” in a statement and vowed to appeal. The jury deliberated for just under three hours before reaching its decision. Trump had been present in court, leaving briefly and returning for closing arguments. However, he was absent when the compensatory and punitive damages were announced.
Following the verdict, Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, expressed gratitude to court staff. A juror exchanged a smile with Carroll as they left the courtroom after the judge encouraged them to maintain privacy. Judge Lewis Kaplan acknowledged the jury’s attentiveness, stating, “It’s clear to me… you paid attention.”
The substantial order includes $65 million in punitive damages, as the jury concluded that Trump had acted maliciously in his numerous public comments about Carroll. Additionally, $7.3 million was awarded in compensatory damages, and $11 million was designated for a reputational repair program.
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In a separate federal civil case in New York, a jury found Trump liable for the sexual assault of Carroll. Using his Truth Social platform, Trump launched a barrage of insulting messages targeting Carroll, the trial, and the judge after the verdict. Trump, 77, briefly took the stand during the trial, denying any instructions to harm Carroll with his statements. Judge Lewis Kaplan imposed limitations on Trump’s testimony, allowing only three yes-or-no questions to prevent public disparagement of the court or Carroll.
As he left the courtroom after his brief appearance, Trump remarked, “This is not America.”
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