Court Upholds $83.3 Million Ruling Against Trump in Carroll Case
A federal appeals court has decided not to overturn the $83.3 million ruling against former President Donald Trump, relating to damage done to writer E. Jean Carroll’s reputation when he denied her rape allegations back in 2019.
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan dismissed Trump’s argument that he should have presidential immunity from Carroll’s case. The judges stated that the damages awarded were reasonable given the “extraordinary and awful facts” of the case.
Neither the White House nor Trump’s personal attorney responded to requests for comment.
This ruling follows a previous decision by the same court in June, where they supported another ruling related to Carroll’s defamation and sexual assault claims against Trump from May 2023.
Carroll, now 81, accused Trump of assaulting her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in the mid-1990s. Trump denied the allegations in June 2019, claiming Carroll “is not my type” and suggesting she fabricated the story to promote her memoir.
In an October 2022 Truth Social post, Trump reiterated his denial, which ultimately contributed to a $5 million judgment against him, although the judge did not find that he had raped Carroll.
The $83.3 million award comprises $18.3 million for emotional and reputational harm, plus $65 million in punitive damages.
In his latest appeal, Trump argued that a forthcoming July 2024 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court might grant him significant criminal immunity, shielding him from Carroll’s civil lawsuit.
He insisted that his comments about Carroll while serving as president were part of his official duties, and that denying him immunity could threaten the independence of the executive branch.
Trump also criticized District Judge Louis Kaplan, who oversaw both trials, claiming the judge made errors in discussing Carroll, including statements about wanting to protect his family and presidency.
In June, Carroll published a new memoir titled “Not My Type: One Woman vs. President,” detailing her legal struggle against Trump.
