Former U.S. President Donald Trump faced a significant legal defeat in Manhattan as a jury ordered him to pay $83.3 million in damages to E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of defaming her by denying her allegations of rape dating back nearly three decades. The jury’s decision, which came after less than three hours of deliberation, awarded Carroll $18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages, far exceeding the minimum $10 million she had sought.
This legal setback comes amid Trump’s campaign to return to the White House in the upcoming November elections, where he is a leading contender for the Republican nomination against Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump, who attended most of the trial sessions but was absent for the verdict, announced his intention to appeal the decision.
Carroll, aged 80, did not respond to questions as she exited the courtroom supported by two of her lawyers. She had filed a lawsuit against Trump in November 2019, five months after he denied her allegations of raping her in the mid-1990s in a dressing room of the Bergdorf Goodman store in Manhattan, New York. Trump, 77, maintains he has never met Carroll and accuses her of fabricating the story to boost sales of her memoirs.
Trump is a notable figure in American history, primarily known for his tenure as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Before entering politics, Trump was a prominent businessman and television personality. He took over his father’s real estate company in 1971, renaming it the Trump Organization, and expanded its operations to include various business ventures such as hotels, resorts, casinos, and golf courses. Trump’s foray into media included the publication of several books, with “The Art of the Deal” being among the most famous, and his role as the host of the reality TV show “The Apprentice”.
Trump’s presidency was marked by a number of significant policy decisions and controversies, including his stance on immigration, tax reform, and international trade. Notably, his administration implemented a major tax reform bill and engaged in renegotiating several international trade agreements. Trump’s use of social media, particularly Twitter, was a hallmark of his political communication, offering direct engagement with the public, politicians, and the press.
Post-presidency, Trump has faced various legal challenges, including indictments related to the handling of classified documents and his business practices in New York. These legal issues have continued to keep Trump in the national conversation even after his term ended.
