A New York jury has ordered former President Donald Trump to pay $83.3 million to consultant E. Jean Carroll for defamation. The jury found Trump liable for tarnishing Carroll’s reputation after she accused him of sexual assault.
The award breakdown includes $65 million in punitive damages, $11 million for damage to Carroll’s reputation, and an additional $7.3 million in compensatory damages. While this is the second time Trump has been ordered to pay Carroll damages, he is expected to appeal the ruling.
Judge Lewis Kaplan had previously ruled that Trump had defamed Carroll before the trial began. The jury’s role is to determine damages, not liability.
In response to the ruling, Trump’s 2024 campaign issued a statement calling the trial a “political weapon”, with plans to appeal. Trump condemned the decision, calling it part of a “Joe Biden orchestrates a witch hunt“ .
The ruling comes after Trump’s recent victory in the New Hampshire primary, which cemented his status as the Republican front-runner. At the same time, Trump faces other legal challenges, including a civil trial in New York that could result in a $250 million settlement for fraudulent business practices.
The defamation case dates back to 2019, when Carroll accused Trump of sexual assault, leading to a lawsuit. The recent jury verdict highlights the ongoing legal battles the former president faces on multiple fronts.
