Appeals Court Upholds $5M Verdict Against Trump in Carrol Sexual Abuse/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ WASHINGTON/ Morning Edition/ A federal appeals court upheld a $5 million verdict against President-elect Donald Trump, affirming a jury’s finding that he sexually abused and defamed columnist E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s. Trump’s appeal was rejected, with the court ruling there were no errors in the original trial.
$5M Carroll Verdict Against Trump Upheld: Quick Looks
- Appeals Court Ruling: The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court affirmed the $5M jury award to E. Jean Carroll.
- Case Background: Carroll accused Trump of sexual abuse in a department store dressing room in 1996.
- Trial Highlights: Jury saw the “Access Hollywood” tape; two other accusers testified.
- Trump’s Appeal Rejected: Court found no errors in trial procedures or rulings.
- Carroll’s Response: Her attorney expressed gratitude for the court’s careful consideration.
Appeals Court Upholds $5M Verdict Against Trump in Carrol Sexual Abuse
Deep Look: Appeals Court Upholds $5M Verdict in E. Jean Carroll Case Against Trump
A federal appeals court on Monday upheld a $5 million jury verdict against President-elect Donald Trump, affirming that he sexually abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll in the mid-1990s. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Trump’s claims of judicial errors, ensuring the original judgment stands.
Case Overview
The jury’s 2023 verdict found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a New York department store dressing room and defaming her after she publicly shared her story in a memoir. Carroll, a longtime magazine columnist, testified that what began as a friendly encounter escalated into a violent attack in the spring of 1996.
Trump denied the allegations, skipped the trial, and later appealed the verdict, claiming the trial judge had allowed prejudicial evidence and testimony.
Appeals Court Decision
The three-judge panel dismissed Trump’s arguments, stating, “We conclude that Mr. Trump has not demonstrated that the district court erred in any of the challenged rulings.” The court emphasized that Trump failed to show any alleged errors had impacted the trial’s outcome.
Key evidence included testimony from two other women who accused Trump of sexual misconduct and the infamous 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape, in which Trump boasted about grabbing women’s genitals, claiming, “You can do anything” when you’re a star.
Carroll’s Legal Battles Continue
In addition to the $5 million judgment, Carroll won an additional $83.3 million in damages in a separate defamation trial earlier this year. That trial stemmed from comments Trump made in 2019, during his presidency, about Carroll’s initial allegations.
At the second trial, Trump testified briefly but was not allowed to challenge the first jury’s findings. Despite his limited testimony, Trump was vocal in court, grumbling about the proceedings during the two-week trial.
Responses to the Ruling
- Trump’s Statement: Spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the verdict as part of a politically motivated “witch hunt” and vowed to continue appealing.
- Carroll’s Reaction: Her attorney Roberta Kaplan expressed gratitude for the appeals court’s decision, calling it a careful and fair consideration of the case.
Impact and Next Steps
The decision marks another legal setback for Trump as he faces multiple legal challenges. While Trump’s team has pledged further appeals, the ruling affirms Carroll’s victory and reinforces the findings of the initial jury.
Looking Ahead
As Trump prepares to take office in January, his legal battles remain a significant focus. Carroll’s case highlights the ongoing scrutiny Trump faces, even as he continues to wield substantial political influence.
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