A recent legal ruling saw former President Trump’s bid for a retrial in his defamation case against writer E. Jean Carroll dismissed by a federal judge, who upheld the initial verdict and the accompanying $83.3 million in damages.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, in a detailed written opinion, deemed Trump’s arguments as lacking in substance. Kaplan highlighted the severity of Trump’s relentless attacks on Carroll, stressing that they reached an audience of over 100 million individuals. These attacks, which included public threats and personal assaults, not only inflicted harm on Carroll’s reputation but also posed risks to her well-being.
The defamation case stemmed from Carroll’s allegations of sexual assault against Trump during the 1990s, which triggered a series of rebuttals and denigrations from Trump. The jury’s decision in January to award Carroll $83.3 million in damages was based on Kaplan’s earlier determination of Trump’s liability for defamation.
Kaplan underscored the egregious nature of Trump’s conduct on social media, asserting that the jury was justified in recognizing its reprehensibility. Additionally, Trump’s behavior during the trial, such as his abrupt departure during Carroll’s closing arguments, further indicated a lack of remorse or willingness to cease his defamatory actions without significant repercussions.
The judge noted Trump’s utilization of the presidential platform to vilify Carroll, portraying her as a politically motivated liar and casting doubts on her credibility by questioning her physical appearance. This, coupled with Trump’s veiled threats against Carroll, underscored the need for a substantial deterrent to curb his defamatory behavior.
In response to the court’s decision, Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s legal representative, expressed satisfaction, emphasizing the validity of the jury’s substantial damages award. Kaplan reiterated the court’s observations regarding Trump’s unabated defamation throughout the trial proceedings, highlighting his evident animosity towards Carroll.
The ruling serves as a significant legal precedent, reaffirming the accountability of public figures for their actions and statements, particularly in cases involving defamation and character assassination.