Trump Slammed with $83.3m Penalty for Defaming Carroll

News Desk
Islamabad: Former US President Donald Trump has criticized the recent New York jury decision as “ridiculous” and has expressed his intention to appeal after being directed to pay an astonishing $83.3 million in compensation to writer E. Jean Carroll.
The jury’s swift and resounding verdict in a federal court exceeded Carroll’s initial defamation damages claim of $10 million, with $65 million designated as punitive damages, emphasizing the gravity of Trump’s actions and their impact on Carroll.
This legal development stems from Carroll’s 1996 allegations of sexual assault against Donald Trump, for which a federal jury found him liable last year.
The latest decision adds another layer to Trump’s legal challenges, which include criminal cases related to the 2020 presidential election results and a civil business fraud case. These legal battles have become integral to Trump’s narrative as he campaigns for a potential return to the White House in the upcoming November election.
Despite his absence during the announcement, Trump condemned the decision, calling it “ridiculous” and indicating his plan to appeal. His lawyer, Alina Habba, attempted to have the case dismissed, arguing that threatening messages directed at Carroll began on social media before Trump’s 2019 comments.
The judge rejected this request, ensuring the jury’s focus remained on the substantial damages awarded to Carroll.
During the trial, Trump briefly took the stand, vehemently denying any instruction to harm Carroll through his statements. Judge Lewis Kaplan imposed restrictions on Trump’s responses, limiting them to yes or no answers to prevent potential disparagement of the court or Carroll. Trump, expressing discontent upon leaving the courtroom, declared, “This is not America.”
Despite not being obligated to attend or testify, Trump strategically utilized the case to garner media coverage and reinforce his claims of victimization.