US Appeals Court Upholds $83 Million Defamation Judgment Against Donald Trump in E. Jean Carroll Case

Court Affirms Significant Penalty

A United States court has confirmed a substantial financial penalty against former President Donald Trump. The ruling upholds an earlier decision requiring him to pay $83 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll, a writer who accused him of defamation. This latest development reinforces the judgment made by a federal jury earlier this year.

The case centers on statements made by Mr. Trump in which he denied Ms. Carroll's allegations of sexual assault and subsequently disparaged her. Ms. Carroll had sought damages for the harm to her reputation and career caused by these comments, which she argued were false and malicious.

Background of the Legal Battle

This $83 million judgment is distinct from, but related to, an earlier trial. In May 2023, a separate jury found Mr. Trump liable for sexually abusing Ms. Carroll in the mid-1990s and for defaming her in 2022. That initial verdict resulted in a $5 million award to Ms. Carroll.

The current $83 million penalty specifically addresses statements made by Mr. Trump after the initial $5 million verdict. Ms. Carroll brought a second defamation lawsuit, arguing that Mr. Trump continued to defame her through public comments even after a jury had already found him responsible for sexual abuse and earlier defamation.

The legal process involved a district court decision, which Mr. Trump subsequently appealed. However, the appeals court has now sided with Ms. Carroll, affirming the jury's verdict and the significant sum awarded for compensatory and punitive damages. This confirms the legal system's view that Mr. Trump's repeated statements caused substantial harm to Ms. Carroll.

Implications for Donald Trump

This ruling adds to Mr. Trump's ongoing legal challenges, both civil and criminal. It underscores the financial consequences of his public statements, particularly when they are found to be defamatory. The judgment represents a significant financial liability and could set a precedent for future cases involving public figures and their commentary on personal accusations.

For Ms. Carroll, the decision marks another step in her long legal fight to hold Mr. Trump accountable for his actions and words. It sends a clear message regarding the protection of individuals from defamation, even by powerful public figures.

What happens next

While the appeals court has confirmed the judgment, Mr. Trump still has avenues for further legal challenges, including potentially appealing to a higher court, such as the Supreme Court. However, the immediate effect is that the judgment stands, and the process for Ms. Carroll to collect the awarded damages can proceed. The legal teams for both parties will now assess their next steps following this latest court decision.