Executive Summary
- A federal appeals court upheld an $83.3 million jury award against Donald Trump for defaming E. Jean Carroll.
- The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals deemed the award “reasonable” due to President Trump’s “extraordinary and egregious” actions and rejected his claim of presidential immunity.
- Trump’s legal team plans to pursue further appeals, requesting the full 2nd Circuit bench to hear the case and seeking Justice Department representation.
The Story So Far
- The $83.3 million defamation award against Donald Trump, recently upheld by a federal appeals court, stems from his repeated public denials and criticisms of E. Jean Carroll, even after a previous jury had already found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding her $5 million. This significant sum was influenced by President Trump’s “extraordinary and egregious” post-verdict conduct, and the court also rejected his claim of presidential immunity, allowing the judgment to stand.
Why This Matters
- The federal appeals court’s decision to uphold the $83.3 million defamation judgment against Donald Trump, while rejecting his claim of presidential immunity, means he faces a substantial financial obligation and sets a precedent regarding the limits of presidential protection from such claims. This ruling also indicates a prolonged legal battle, as Trump’s team is expected to pursue further appeals, extending the dispute and its associated costs.
Who Thinks What?
- The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the $83.3 million jury award against Donald Trump for defamation, finding the amount “reasonable” and rejecting his claim of presidential immunity due to his “extraordinary and egregious” actions.
- E. Jean Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, expressed satisfaction with the appeals court’s decision, believing that justice will finally be served.
- Donald Trump and his legal team disagree with the ruling, demanding a dismissal of what they term “witch hunts” and indicating they will pursue further appeals, including requesting Justice Department representation.
A federal appeals court has upheld an $83.3 million jury award against Donald Trump for defaming magazine writer E. Jean Carroll in 2019. The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday affirmed the verdict, deeming the jury award “reasonable” given the evidence presented during the trial. The court also rejected President Trump’s claim of presidential immunity in the case.
Court’s Reasoning and Damages
The appeals judges cited President Trump’s repeated denials and criticisms of Carroll, even after an initial jury verdict, as justification for the significant punitive damages. They highlighted statements such as Trump calling Carroll “not my type” and suggesting her claims were fabricated to boost book sales. The court characterized Trump’s actions following the first verdict as “extraordinary and egregious.”
Carroll had alleged that Trump raped her and subsequently defamed her when he denied her claim. A previous jury had awarded Carroll $5 million for sexual abuse and defamation stemming from remarks made by Trump in 2019. This most recent case specifically concerned the defamation claims from 2019.
Trial Details and Reactions
During the 2024 trial, Trump testified, defending his past denials and asserting he was defending himself, his family, and the presidency. The jury considered various pieces of evidence, including video testimony from 2022 where President Trump disparaged Carroll and a comment he made calling her a “whack job” during a CNN town hall event.
Trump had previously posted a $92 million bond to cover the judgment while the appeal was pending. Following the appeals court’s decision, Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s lawyer, expressed satisfaction, stating that justice would finally be served. Trump’s legal team, however, demanded a dismissal of what they termed “witch hunts.”
Next Steps
President Trump is now requesting that the full 2nd Circuit bench hear his appeal, and he is also seeking Justice Department representation for any future appeals in the case. Carroll recently published a book titled “Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President.”
The appeals court’s decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle between E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump, affirming the substantial damages awarded for defamation. Trump’s legal team is expected to pursue further appeals.
