In a ground-breaking decision, the jury of a New York court has asked Donald Trump – former US President to pay $83.3 million for defaming E Jean Caroll in 2019 who is a columnist and author.
The judgment is a mixture of $18.3 million for compensatory damages and an additional amount of 65 million dollars to be paid to E Jean Carroll in punitive compensation. This brings the total judgement value at about $83.3 million.
This serves as one more step towards completing all legal actions pertaining Trump’s interests. This civil trial is a sequel to another one that found Trump liable for defamation and sexual assault against Carroll in the 1990s, with an ensuing $5 million settlement.
Compensatory Damages : Impact on Reputation and Career
Compensatory damages aim to redress the harm inflicted on E Jean Carroll‘s reputation and emotional well-being. Subsequently, Carroll testified that Trump’s denials, portraying her as a fraud and traitor, led to the loss of an Elle magazine column, plummeted book sales, and exposed her to death threats from those loyal to Trump. According to Kaplan the attorney of Carroll, this victory is considered a triumph for women who fought against powerful men.
Punitive Damages and Trump’s Response
The punitive damages amounting to $65 million will prevent Trump from publishing other libellous statements about Carroll. Trump, vowing to appeal and calling the case a witch-hunt judicially lambasted the verdict as “Absolutely ridiculous!”. His departure from court accompanied by Secret Service followed Judge Kaplan’s threat of jailing Trump’s lawyer for further disruptions.
Key Moments from the E Jean Carroll Trial
Notable events particularly included Trump’s outbursts in the courtroom. He kept interrupting E Jean Carroll, calling her a liar, con artist, and witch. Furthermore, Trump called the judge and jury politically biased. Trump described all trial as a political weapon aimed at him and Republicans in general. Following his objection to the verdict, he pledged that they would secure victory on appeal..
Testimony of E Jean Carrol: Fear for Life and Efforts to De-legitimize
On trial, she elaborated in details the real fear for life and safety after denials of Trump. Additionally, She claimed Trump used his power to intimidate her. This, Carroll said, resulted in her taking pro-active safety and security measures. These included buying a gun and bullets and having an electric fence around her house. Trump actively sought to discredit Carroll by targeting her tweets and posts.
Defense of E Jean Carroll as a Humorist and Feminist
Carroll defended herself by showcasing her feminist and humorous nature. Moreover, she clarified that her personal tweets and posts were not meant to harm or substantiate any credibility issues related to the outlandish allegations against Trump. By emphasizing her right to communicate without shame, Carroll aimed to distinguish her writing from attempts at character assassination.
Besides the two ongoing criminal cases and a possible 2024 presidential candidacy, this verdict will make Trump face even more legal challenges. As Trump criticizes the justice system as a partisan tool, this defamation trial goes beyond the courtroom leaving behind an unforgettable legacy of power struggles with accountability and individual liberties.
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