Causes.com
| 9.6.23
Trump Liable for Defamation in Second E. Jean Carroll Case
How do you feel about the verdict?
Updated September 6, 2023, 2:45 p.m. EST
- A federal judge ruled that Trump is liable for defamatory statements he made about E. Jean Carroll in 2019 after she publicly shared the sexual abuse she experienced during an encounter with him decades earlier.
- Judge Lewis Kaplan said the trial for Carroll's civil lawsuit against Trump will only handle the amount of money he owes the writer for defamation, not whether he is liable for civil damages. In a separate trial in May, the jury found Trump guilty of sexual abuse and defamation — a verdict that Kaplan can apply to his trial.
- Kaplan's case is related to statements Trump made about Carroll when he was president, denying her claim of rape.
What’s the story?
- On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll and must pay $5 million in damages.
- Carroll, a writer and former columnist for Elle magazine, accused Trump of raping her in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. The nine jurors did not find Trump guilty of rape but agreed that he “sexually abused” Carroll and defamed her when denying the accusations. The verdict was unanimous and came after only three hours of deliberation.
- Over a dozen women have accused Trump of sexual misconduct, but Carroll’s is the first allegation to be affirmed by a jury.
The case and verdict
- The columnist first accused Trump of sexual assault in her memoir, “What Do We Need Men For?” In the book, Carroll recalls times of being mistreated and harassed by multiple men, including the former president, former CBS chief executive Leslie Moonves, and so on. Both men denied the allegations.
- Trump posted a statement on his Truth Social platform in October, calling Carroll’s case “a complete con job” and “a Hoax and a lie,” leading to defamation liability.
- The judge, Lewis A. Kaplan, explained to the jury that there were three options for finding Trump liable for battery: that he raped Carroll, sexually abused her, or forcibly touched her. It’s unclear why jurors chose the lesser offense of abuse over rape, but the unanimous vote affirmed that Carroll proved it was more likely than not that he had committed an offense.
- This was a civil case, meaning Trump was not convicted of any crimes. However, there will likely be a shift in his public image as the jury confirmed him as an abuser.
What they’re saying
- Carroll said in a statement after the verdict was read:
“I filed this lawsuit against Donald Trump to clear my name and to get my life back. Today, the world finally knows the truth. This victory is not just for me but for every woman who has suffered because she was not believed.”
“I’m overwhelmed, overwhelmed with joy and happiness and delight for the women in this country.”
- Trump’s lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, said outside the courthouse that the case would be appealed. Trump brushed off the verdict, saying it was a “scam” and “a political witch hunt” funded by “Democratic operatives.” Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) agreed, saying:
“That jury’s a joke. The whole case is a joke.”
- Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta A. Kaplan, said:
“For far too long, survivors of sexual assault faced a wall of doubt and intimidation. We hope and believe today’s verdict will be an important step in tearing that wall down.”
- During her testimony, Carroll was asked by one of her lawyers whether she was glad to have spoken publicly about Trump’s actions. She said:
“I have regretted this about a hundred times, but in the end — in the end, being able to get my day in court finally is everything to me. I’m glad that I got to tell my story in court.”
How do you feel about the verdict?
-Jamie Epstein
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Trump is a discrace to this country.
Once again, cowardly Donald avoided testifying and instead had a "town hall" on CNN and spouted all kinds of nonsense about the verdict and many other topics. E. Jean Carroll and her friends who testified for her are heroic. Donald once again, showed us just what a sniveling coward he is.
Would've been nice for them to convict him for rape, but it's a start, and I believe this is just the first of MANY convictions to be handed down to this worthless POS.
Finally, maybe justice will catch up to this cheat, fraud, traitor and liar.
Statuate of Limitations
Besides Trumpf's continued appalling behavior, just as disturbing is the audience's reaction by laughing at his remarks.
I'm happy for her. I hope she's been given some peace.
There are three sides to every story, her side, his side, and the truth. Unfortunately in today's political climate the truth is seldom told. The democrats are so afriad of Trumps impact that they'll do anything to remove him from politics! I wonder what would have happened if this much interest would have been placed on Bill Clinton's antics which were legndary. Sadly our country has slide down hill morally even further.
There was no evidence provided proving Donald Trump raped Carroll. Is there proof he was even at the department store between 1994 and 1996 because Carroll can't remember when rape took place. Why did New York allow a narrow window legal opening to try just this particular case?
Lock him up!
Here's another example of the entitled little weasel: Country star Zach Bryanarrested: Police report sheds light on circumstances surrounding the traffic stop. After Zacky boy got on the web early this week To say how much he respected the police and how he was wrong it turns out he was trying to head off a disaster he made for himself. It seems the little weasel thought he should get off because he's famous then to top it off his daddy got on the phone with the police and told him he was going to tell the governor on them. I'm so sick and tired of people following Trump's example and think they can get away with anything because of who they are. This all started with Trump it's a weaselly Republican thing and it sucks.
I heard a Trump supporter on the news say of trumps mug shot "‘This is a picture of Trump at his finest"
I would have to agree a picture of Trump as a criminal which is what he is, a criminal, a liar and a rapist and anti-American who tried to overthrow this government. It's also a picture of a little whiny kid who's not getting his way.
L O L Who would've thought a supporter would get it right!
All they had left is up?
You ever wonder about the oil industry market on the cost of living?
It has now been released that GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and former GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia had all been recommended to be charged by The grand jury in the Georgia case of trying to overthrow the election. Let's hope that this is what weights in round two with the other shoe drops. Senator Lindsay Lamb has for years been nothing but Donald Trump's little pet sheep following him around like Bo peep Predue and Loeffler are both nothing but self entitled millionaires who know nothing about wife the struggle of trying to make ends meet or apparently honesty. All of these people should be locked up they're all self entitled they're all liars and they're all anti-American zealots.
.Looking forward to the next convictions.
Just more proof of the depravity and shamelessness of this man.
Make him pay.
I love accountabilty. Don the Con has gotten away with way too much.
Pompous Peter Navarro Found guilty of contempt of Congress just like all the other Republicans that's around Trump including Trump himself pompous Peter imagined that he was above the law. That's the sick thing about the Republican Party and Trump they all imagine that they're better than everyone else and above it all. Lock him up. Lock all of them up.
I'm not sure what it is either Trump destroyed everyone's life around him or people that are pompous asses just gravitate to him. In any event anyone affiliated with trying to keep that lier/ grifter Donald Trump in office when he lost should be locked up.
I, for one, am sick of the former WH resident and current 91 times indicted felon getting away with his lies and grift. It is about time for him to face the music for his crimes. If Enrique Tarrio got 22 years, then the former WH resident should get over 100 years for his felonies and many millions in fines for his civil crimes.
The man is a complete dunce. Never learns. An immature wreck of a person. E. Jean Carroll can just keep taking him to court.
I noticed the grifter Donald Trump is selling pictures of his mug shot to his overly fleeced supporters. But then, if Trump would sell toilet paper with his face on it I would buy that.
I can comment, but I can't reply. I get a circle with a black line through it. Any ideas out there.
Need much higher penalties!
Danny Masterson gets 30 years for rape Donald Trump gets off with paying $5 million! Can somebody please explain the justice here? Why is a pig like Donald Trump not worked up for 30 years where he belongs.
So, to be clear, the "stable genius" is found guilty of defamation, then immediately goes on TV and says the same things that got him in trouble in the first place.
And this is the man some of you want running our country. Okay.
Trump will never learn to keep his mouth shut. Keeps proving what a sad example of human being he is.
Trump, the rapist, has to pay $Millions because of his loud mouth....
BRAVO!
If you lie and defame someone, you should be charged. Period.
Of course, then there is lying under oath too.....which should also be prosecuted!
I have a question. What did the hell did Trump accomplish ????