NEW YORK, USA – A US federal appeals court has upheld a jury’s $5 million civil verdict finding former President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll, denying Trump’s request for a new trial.
Trump had sought to overturn the May 2023 decision, arguing that the trial judge committed numerous errors, including allowing testimony from two other women who accused him of sexual assault.
However, the appeals court ruled that the trial judge acted within his discretion and that any potential errors did not affect the outcome, citing the strength of Carroll’s case.
Carroll’s Legal Victory
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, welcomed the decision, stating, “Both E. Jean Carroll and I are gratified by today’s decision. We thank the Second Circuit for its careful consideration of the parties’ arguments.”
Carroll alleged that Trump sexually assaulted her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in the mid-1990s and later defamed her by denying the claim, stating she wasn’t his type, and suggesting she fabricated the story to sell her book.
While the jury did not find sufficient evidence to support Carroll’s claim of rape, it concluded that Trump sexually abused her, holding him liable for battery under the “New York State Adult Survivors Act.”
The act, passed in 2022, allowed survivors of sexual assault to file lawsuits for previously time-barred claims.
Defamation Verdict and Pending Appeals
In a separate trial, another jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million after finding that Trump defamed her in statements denying the assault.
Trump has appealed this verdict as well.
Steven Cheung, Trump’s spokesperson and incoming White House communications director, dismissed the cases as politically motivated.
“The American People have re-elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate, and they demand an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded Carroll Hoax, which will continue to be appealed,” Cheung said.
Political and Legal Implications
Trump’s legal battles have not directly affected his political standing, as he was recently re-elected to the presidency.
However, the appeals court’s decision underscores the ongoing legal challenges he faces as he prepares for a new term.
The Carroll cases, rooted in allegations from decades ago, have drawn attention to the “New York State Adult Survivors Act” and the broader implications of reexamining historical claims of sexual misconduct under newly extended statutes of limitations.
For Carroll and her supporters, the court’s decision represents a significant affirmation of her claims and the legal mechanisms designed to support survivors seeking justice.
For Trump, it marks yet another chapter in a long-running series of legal and political controversies.
