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US Court Upholds $83.3M Defamation Order Against Trump

A federal judge has denied former President Donald Trump’s motions to dismiss or reduce the staggering $83.3 million verdict in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, solidifying a major legal and financial blow.

The Ruling: Judge Rejects Trump’s Post-Trial Motions

In a decisive move, a prominent US court has affirmed the jury’s decision in the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial, upholding the full $83.3 million judgment against former President Donald Trump. The ruling, issued by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan of the Southern District of New York, dismisses a series of post-trial motions filed by Trump’s legal team seeking to either throw out the verdict or significantly reduce the damages awarded.

The January 2024 verdict found Trump liable for defaming Carroll in 2019 when he denied her allegations of a mid-1990s sexual assault. The jury awarded Carroll $18.3 million in compensatory damages and a massive $65 million in punitive damages, intended to punish Trump for his malicious conduct and deter future defamatory statements.

Trump’s lawyers had argued that the damages were “grossly excessive” and that the trial was tainted by procedural errors. However, Judge Kaplan’s comprehensive opinion dismantled these arguments, stating that the jury acted reasonably and within its rights. This decision marks a critical moment, forcing Trump to confront the substantial financial consequences of his public statements.

Understanding the E. Jean Carroll Defamation Lawsuits

This case is the second of two successful lawsuits brought by writer E. Jean Carroll against the former president. The legal saga began when Carroll publicly accused Trump in 2019 of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump, then president, vehemently denied the claim, stating Carroll was “not my type” and suggesting she fabricated the story to sell books.

Those denials formed the basis of this defamation lawsuit. A separate, earlier trial concluded in May 2023, where a different jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. In that case, she was awarded $5 million in damages. Because the first jury established the fact of the sexual abuse, Judge Kaplan ruled that the second trial would focus solely on the damages resulting from Trump’s 2019 defamatory statements.

Throughout both trials, Trump continued to attack Carroll publicly, repeating the same claims that were found to be defamatory. Carroll’s lawyers argued that his unceasing attacks demonstrated a profound malice and a disregard for the law, justifying the substantial punitive damages. For more detailed history on the case, you can review the timeline on external news sources.

What Did the US Court Say in Its Decision?

In his written opinion, Judge Kaplan provided a thorough justification for upholding the jury’s verdict. The US court found that Trump’s legal team failed to provide sufficient reason to overturn the jury’s carefully considered decision. Kaplan noted that the jury was “entitled to conclude” that Trump’s ongoing public attacks against Carroll were a key factor in determining the punitive damages.

Key points from the judge’s reasoning include:

• The Jury’s Verdict Was Not Excessive: Judge Kaplan wrote that the punitive damages were not “a result of passion or prejudice” but were instead a rational response to Trump’s “long history of similar misconduct” and the need to deter him. He highlighted that Trump, a wealthy public figure, required a substantial penalty for deterrence to be effective.
• Trump’s Own Conduct: The court pointed to Trump’s behavior during and after the trial—including his continued social media posts attacking Carroll—as evidence of his malice and lack of remorse, which the jury rightfully considered.
• Reputational Harm: The judge affirmed the compensatory damages, noting the jury heard ample evidence of the significant harm to Carroll’s reputation and the emotional distress she suffered as a direct result of Trump’s high-profile denials.

The ruling effectively states that Trump’s arguments were a mere disagreement with the jury’s findings, not a valid legal basis for intervention. The court’s deference to the jury’s role is a fundamental tenet of the American legal system.

Financial Penalties and the Inevitable Appeal

With his post-trial motions denied, Trump now faces a concrete financial obligation. He is required to either pay the $83.3 million to Carroll or post a bond for the full amount, plus interest, while he pursues an appeal. A bond, typically secured from an insurance company, guarantees payment if the appeal fails. This process can be costly and requires significant collateral.

An appeal is virtually certain. Trump’s legal team has already signaled its intent to take the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The appeals process will focus on alleged legal errors made by Judge Kaplan during the trial, rather than re-litigating the facts of the case. Arguments will likely revolve around the judge’s evidentiary rulings and jury instructions.

This path, however, is long and uncertain. The Second Circuit could affirm the ruling, reverse it, or send it back to the lower court for further proceedings. For more information on what this entails, you can read our explainer on how the federal appeals process works.

Trump’s Mounting Legal Challenges

This $83.3 million judgment is one of several significant legal and financial pressures facing the former president. It comes on the heels of a separate, much larger civil fraud judgment in New York, where he was ordered to pay over $454 million in penalties and interest.

While that fraud case threatens his business empire, the Carroll defamation verdict strikes at a more personal level, holding him accountable for his public speech and conduct. The sheer size of the punitive damages is a landmark moment, sending a powerful message that even a former president is not above the law when it comes to defamation.

As Trump navigates these civil penalties alongside multiple criminal indictments, the decision by this US court to uphold the Carroll verdict adds another layer of complexity to his legal battles. The outcome of the inevitable appeal will be closely watched as a test of the durability of such a massive punitive award against a public figure.

In conclusion, the court’s refusal to reduce or dismiss the $83.3 million verdict is a resounding victory for E. Jean Carroll and a significant defeat for Donald Trump. While the legal fight is far from over, this ruling forces Trump to secure the massive sum and validates the jury’s decision to impose a heavy penalty for his defamatory conduct.

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