Appeals Court Upholds $83.3 Million Verdict
An appeals court has unanimously upheld a jury’s $83.3 million judgment in writer E. Jean Carroll’s defamation case against former President Donald Trump. Trump was previously found liable for se*ually a**aulting Carroll in a department store dressing room in the 1990s.
Court Cites Severity of Conduct
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit acknowledged that the damages “approach the upper limit of reasonableness.” Still, the court ruled the award was justified “in light of the extraordinary and egregious facts of this case.”
The 70-page ruling emphasized that Trump must not only face punishment but also be deterred from making further defamatory statements about Carroll.
Presidential Immunity Argument Rejected
The court also dismissed Trump’s claim of presidential immunity, stating it did not apply to this civil defamation case.
Carroll’s Allegations
Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, said Trump approached her at Bergdorf Goodman while shopping for a gift for a female friend. She claims he suggested lingerie and then a**acked her in an empty dressing room.
After the alleged assault, Trump repeatedly called Carroll a liar. Carroll filed the defamation suit to hold him accountable.
