A US jury found former President Donald Trump guilty of sexually abusing columnist E. Jean Carroll in 1996, and awarded the victim $5 million in damages.
Overview
While Trump was found guilty of sexual harassment, the jury rejected the victim’s claim of rape. The jurors also held Trump guilty of defaming Carroll. Of the $5 million awarded as compensatory and punitive damages, $3 million were for defamation, and $2 million were for sexual abuse.
Trump did not attend the civil trial.
One cannot imagine that Judge Kaplan, or Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina, will be happy about this.
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) May 9, 2023
Currently on Truth Social, just before the jury gets the case.
(Note: Trump was repeatedly "allowed to speak and defend" himself — and chose not to testify.) pic.twitter.com/Kvxx1YYRa4
The victim released a statement saying that she had launched the civil suit to “clear [her] name and get [her] life back.” To this end, she said, “Today, the world finally knows the truth. This victory is not just for me but for every woman who has suffered because she was not believed.”
Carroll’s lawyer celebrated the judgement, saying that the decision evidenced that “not even the President of the [US]” is above the law.
Carroll first made the allegations against Trump in her 2019 memoir, claiming that he had raped her in a dressing room in a department store in Manhattan.
Over the years, the former president has repeatedly played down her allegations, often mocking and trivializing her claims, even calling her a “nut job.”
BREAKING: After Trump's team decided to not offer a defense in the E. Jean Carroll Vs. Donald Trump Rape and Defamation suit, the Verdict is in!
— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) May 9, 2023
The jury of 9, including six men and 3 women, deliberated for just under 3 hours, an incredibly quick deliberation, finding Trump… pic.twitter.com/0ilUSCZrNJ
Nevertheless, Trump has been accused of sexual harassment by several women. For instance, Jessica Leeds, who even testified before the jury, said that Trump had groped her on a flight in the 1970s. Similarly, Natasha Stoynoff claimed that he had forcibly kissed her in 2005 while she was interviewing him for an article.
Trump Responds
Taking to social media, Trump called the decision a “disgrace” and a “continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time.” He also reiterated that he had “no idea” who Carroll was.
Similarly, his lawyer told the media outside the courthouse that the decision was “strange” and “perplexing,” particularly as Trump was cleared of rape charges. On Trump’s absence from the court, he cited the court’s “circus atmosphere,” which he said would have worsened in Trump’s presence.
In addition, he confirmed that Trump would appeal the decision.
A jury has found that former US president Donald Trump sexually abused the magazine writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and then defamed her by branding her a liar. The jury in the civil suit awarded Carroll $5 million in damages https://t.co/rhc28GemgN pic.twitter.com/oBZfhftakh
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 10, 2023
Trump’s Presidential Bid
This judgement will likely taint Trump’s campaign in the upcoming 2024 presidential elections.
Meanwhile, Trump is currently in the midst of a series of controversies, including his criminal indictment in New York over 30 charges related to his personal, political, and business dealings.
While the previous indictments are of cases prior to his presidency, he is also being investigated over his alleged mishandling of classified documents after the 2020 elections.
Additionally, he is facing charges of incitement of violence during the US Capitol riots on 6 January 2021.