The Second Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a significant legal blow to President-elect Donald Trump on Monday, upholding the jury’s verdict in E. Jean Carroll’s civil lawsuit against him. The court declined to overturn the ruling, affirming that Trump was liable for sexual abuse and defamation, leaving a $5 million damages award intact.
In a detailed 77-page opinion, the court stated that Trump failed to prove any errors in the lower court’s handling of the case. The panel concluded, “Trump has not demonstrated that the district court erred in any of the challenged rulings” and “has not carried his burden to show that any claimed error or combination of claimed errors affected his substantial rights as required to warrant a new trial.”
The ruling upholds the jury’s determination that Trump sexually abused Carroll in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in Manhattan in the mid-1990s and later defamed her with statements made in 2022. This verdict, the first of two civil cases Carroll has brought against Trump, highlights the court’s support for Carroll’s claims of harm caused by Trump’s actions.
E. Jean Carroll, a writer and advice columnist, first came forward with allegations against Trump in 2019. She claimed that Trump sexually assaulted her decades earlier, and when she made her allegations public, Trump responded with defamatory statements, calling her accusations a “hoax” and accusing her of lying for attention.
The first case, focused on these 2022 remarks, resulted in the jury’s decision to award Carroll $5 million—$2 million for the sexual abuse claim and $3 million for defamation. Importantly, while the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse, they did not find him liable for rape, a distinction that has been central to related legal battles and media coverage.
A separate, earlier defamation case concerning statements Trump made while president is also on appeal. That lawsuit resulted in a record-breaking $83.3 million verdict and involved the same trial judge, Lewis Kaplan.
This week’s ruling will likely influence public perceptions and the outcome of other ongoing legal cases involving Trump. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, welcomed the decision with gratitude.
“Both E. Jean Carroll and I are gratified by today’s decision,” Kaplan said in a statement. “We thank the Second Circuit for its careful consideration of the parties’ arguments.”
While Carroll and her legal team celebrated the ruling, Trump has yet to comment publicly on the decision. Given his history of fiery responses to legal defeats, observers anticipate he will issue a statement soon.
The court’s decision not only upholds the financial penalties imposed on Trump but also reinforces the jury’s findings of sexual abuse.
The verdict’s details have already played a role in Trump’s ongoing defamation suit against ABC News. In that case, Trump challenged statements made by George Stephanopoulos, who inaccurately claimed that Trump was found liable for rape.
The case was recently resolved through a $15 million settlement, underscoring the intricate legal entanglements arising from these rulings.
The decision adds another chapter to the legal battles between Carroll and Trump, which have drawn widespread public and media attention. Supporters of Carroll see the verdict as a significant victory for survivors of sexual violence, emphasizing accountability even when powerful individuals are involved.
Conversely, Trump’s defenders argue that the cases against him are politically motivated, designed to tarnish his image as he campaigns for the presidency.
As the legal dust settles on this appeal, attention will shift to the pending case over Trump’s earlier statements and how this week’s ruling might influence its outcome. Legal analysts suggest that the Second Circuit’s refusal to overturn the verdict in Carroll’s favor could signal further challenges for Trump in other cases.
The broader implications of these rulings will likely extend beyond the courtroom. As Trump prepares to re-enter the White House, the legal and reputational fallout from these cases could weigh heavily on his campaign.
While Trump has not yet commented on the Second Circuit’s decision, his next move could shape the public narrative. For now, Carroll and her legal team have claimed a definitive victory.
1 Comment
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