In a landmark legal event, a jury in New York has instructed the former U.S. President, Donald Trump, to pay E. Jean Carroll, a renowned advice columnist, a total of $83.3 million. The jury concluded that Trump had damaged Carroll’s image by calling her dishonest following her allegations of sexual assault against him.
The jury’s verdict comprised $65 million in punitive damages, $11 million for damage to reputation, and an extra $7.3 million. Considering the severity of the penalty, it is anticipated that Trump will contest the decision.
Despite its magnitude, the verdict was not unexpected. Before the trial, Judge Lewis Kaplan had already determined that Trump had slandered Carroll. The jury was only responsible for deciding the compensation Trump owed Carroll, not his culpability. This is the second instance where Trump has been instructed to compensate Carroll, with a prior jury ordering a $5 million payment for a different defamation case.
In response to the verdict, the Trump 2024 campaign released a statement, lacking evidence, labeling the trial as a “political weapon.” The statement said, “Absolutely preposterous! I completely disagree with both decisions, and will be contesting this entire politically motivated investigation targeting me and the Republican Party.”
The jury’s verdict was disclosed shortly after Trump’s triumph in the New Hampshire primary, reinforcing his status as the GOP’s leading candidate. This case is one of many involving Trump, who is also awaiting a decision in a civil trial that could result in him paying at least $250 million to New York state for deceptive business practices.
The impact of these trials could go beyond monetary penalties. Trump could potentially be prohibited from doing business in the state where he made his name as a property mogul. In total, Trump is facing 91 charges in federal and state trials, ranging from those in New York to federal charges related to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. These trials and their results are under close scrutiny, as they could significantly affect Trump’s political and business prospects.
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