Federal Judge Upholds Carroll’s $83M Defamation Verdict Against Trump

A federal judge recently affirmed the verdict and penalty in E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, denying his request for a retrial. Judge Lewis Kaplan stated that all of Trump’s legal arguments were unfounded, and he found that the substantial punitive damages awarded to Carroll “pass constitutional muster.” Roberta Kaplan, E. Jean Carroll’s lawyer, said in a statement that her team was satisfied with but not surprised by the decision. She continued that given Donald Trump’s repeated defamation of Caroll both throughout the trial and previously documented instances exhibiting “hatred” during the legal proceeding’s courtroom setting, it is entirely reasonable for the jury to have awarded E. Jean Carroll $83 million in damages due to Mr. Trumps persisting assault against her person, reputation, health, safety, career, and emotional well-being disseminated through his malicious statements which were made publically over 100 million times.” Trump’s legal team had contended that the damages granted by Carroll during their defamation trial was exorbitant. Kaplan dismissed this argument in his opinion released on Thursday, stating: “Mr. Trump’s malicious and unceasing attacks on Ms. Carroll were disseminated to over 100 million people. They included public threats and personal attacks that endangered her health and safety.” In closing arguments for the defamation lawsuit against him in February this year, Donald Trump abruptly left the courtroom while E. Jean Caroll’s lawyers presented their claims to a jury after claiming it mistreated him constantly on charges relating back when he denied sexual assault allegations by Ms. Carroll in 2019 and branding her as not his “type.” Kaplan also mentioned this episode, stating: “Mere minutes into (Caroll’s) counsel began their closing argument, Mr. Trump conspicuously stood up and walked out of the courtroom for no apparent reason save to evidence his disapproval.