Appeals Court Upholds $83 Million Defamation Judgment Against Donald Trump
NEW YORK – An appeals court on Tuesday affirmed the $83.3 million in damages awarded to E. Jean Carroll in her defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, rejecting his claims that the verdict was excessive and unfairly reached. The ruling solidifies a significant legal defeat for Trump, stemming from statements he made while denying Carroll’s allegations of sexual assault and subsequent defamation.
The decision, handed down by a New York state appellate court, centers on two separate trials. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, awarding her $5 million in damages. A second trial in 2024 addressed further defamatory remarks Trump made about Carroll while denying the initial allegations, resulting in an $83.3 million judgment. This latest ruling confirms that the 2024 jury was justified in finding Trump liable for those statements and in the amount of damages awarded, which are intended to compensate Carroll for reputational harm and emotional distress.
The appeals court specifically noted Trump’s disruptive behaviour during the 2024 trial, citing “several disruptive comments and gestures in front of the judge and jury.” The court found sufficient evidence supported the jury’s conclusion that Trump’s repeated denials of Carroll’s claims and assertions that she fabricated the allegations caused significant damage to her reputation and personal life.
During the 2024 trial, evidence presented demonstrated the considerable harm Carroll suffered following trump’s public statements. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, argued to the jury that the award should be substantial enough to compel Trump to cease his defamatory behavior toward her client.
The ruling represents a major victory for Carroll, who has consistently maintained that Trump’s statements were false and damaging. It also sets a precedent regarding the legal consequences of making defamatory statements, particularly by public figures. Trump’s legal team has indicated they may pursue further appeals, perhaps taking the case to the state’s highest court.
