Trump Loses Appeal of E. Jean Carroll $5 Million Verdict

An appeals court has upheld a $5 million verdict against President-elect Donald Trump for sexually abusing and defaming columnist E. Jean Carroll. This decision reinforces the original jury’s findings and underscores the legal consequences Trump faces as he prepares for his second term in office. Carroll’s lawsuit stems from a 1990s incident in a department store and defamatory statements made by Trump in 2022.

The ruling, which is available on CourtListener, concluded that Trump did not demonstrate “that the district court erred in any of the challenged rulings.” The Court also concluded that he did not “show that any claimed error or combination of claimed errors affected his substantial rights as required to warrant a new trial.”

Key Facts:

• The case involves allegations that Trump sexually assaulted Carroll in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the mid-1990s and later defamed her by calling the accusations a “hoax.”
• The jury awarded Carroll $2.02 million for sexual assault and $2.98 million for defamation.
• Additional evidence admitted during the trial included the 2005 Access Hollywood tape and testimony from two women who alleged Trump had assaulted them.
• Trump has denied the allegations, stating Carroll is “not my type,” though he confused a photo of her with his ex-wife Marla Maples during a deposition.
• Trump did not testify in his defense during the trial.

Context and Background: This case is one of several legal challenges Trump faces regarding allegations of sexual misconduct. The Access Hollywood tape and testimony from Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff were key elements supporting Carroll’s claims. The court ruled that these pieces of evidence demonstrated a “repeated, idiosyncratic pattern of conduct” consistent with the allegations made by Carroll.

Carroll’s legal victory is notable as it represents one of the first significant consequences Trump has faced for such claims. In a separate case, Carroll was awarded $83.3 million in damages for reputational harm stemming from similar defamatory statements made in 2019. Trump is also appealing that judgment.

Closing Remarks: The appeals court’s decision to uphold the $5 million verdict marks a pivotal moment in holding powerful figures accountable for sexual misconduct. Trump’s legal team has indicated their intent to continue appealing the decision. Future developments may include further appellate reviews or additional defamation claims by Carroll. These cases set significant precedents for addressing sexual misconduct allegations involving high-profile individuals.