A federal appeals court has confirmed a significant jury verdict against former President Donald Trump, rejecting his attempts to overturn a ruling that awarded E Jean Carroll $83.3 million for defamation. This decision was reached by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, which dismissed Trump’s claim of presidential immunity in relation to Carroll’s lawsuit.
The verdict, issued in January 2024, stems from Trump’s denial of Carroll’s rape allegations in 2019. Carroll, an 81-year-old former columnist for Elle, accused Trump of assaulting her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman department store around 1996. In response to her allegations, Trump stated in June 2019 that Carroll was “not my type” and alleged that she fabricated the story to promote her memoir, What Do We Need Men For?
In a separate case, the same court upheld a $5 million verdict against Trump on June 13, 2023, related to similar defamation claims and sexual assault by Carroll. Although the jury did not find that Trump raped Carroll, the awarded sums reflected the emotional and reputational damage he caused.
The larger award of $83.3 million included $18.3 million for damages related to emotional distress and reputational harm, alongside $65 million in punitive damages. In his latest appeal, Trump argued that a ruling by the US Supreme Court in July 2024 granting him substantial criminal immunity should also apply to Carroll’s civil case. He contended that his statements about Carroll were made in his official capacity as president and that failing to provide immunity could threaten the independence of the Executive Branch.
Additionally, Trump criticized US District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over both trials, stating that the judge made errors, including striking his testimony regarding his motivations for addressing the allegations. Trump claimed he was merely trying to defend himself, his family, and the presidency.
In June 2024, Carroll released a new memoir titled Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President, detailing her ongoing legal battles with Trump. The continued developments in this high-profile case highlight the intersection of legal accountability and the actions of public figures.
