Trump Ordered to Pay $5 Million in Damages for Sexual Abuse and Defamation

In a Manhattan courtroom, a jury fully supported E. Jean Carroll’s civil lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, who she claims sexually assaulted her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. After less than three hours of consideration, the jury deemed Trump responsible for sexual abuse, rather than rape, and ordered him to pay $5 million in damages. Despite the proceedings, the former president never once set foot in the courtroom and his attorneys didn’t summon any witnesses to defend him.

Leaving the courthouse, Carroll appeared delighted and expressed her happiness with the outcome to the press, without providing any further commentary. On the other hand, Trump shared his frustration with the verdict on social media, asserting it to be ‘A DISGRACE’ and ‘A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME!’

Under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, passed in 2021, Carroll was able to bring the battery lawsuit despite statutes of limitations. This law grants one-time opportunities for individuals who suffered sexual abuse to pursue civil suits. In addition to the battery charge, she accused Trump of defamation, since his responses to her allegations have included multiple disparaging remarks.

In response to Carroll’s claims, Trump repeatedly labeled her a liar, dismissed her accusations as a ‘hoax,’ and even commented that she wasn’t his ‘type.’ The former president also indicated that she was too old to interest him sexually, despite their similar ages. Amusingly, during his videotaped deposition, Trump confused Carroll with his ex-wife, Marla Maples, while examining a photograph of himself with Carroll from years earlier.

Ultimately, Carroll was awarded $2 million for the sexual abuse and an additional $3 million for the defamation claim. Significantly, she had not requested a specific amount of compensation. Upon hearing the verdict, Natasha Stoynoff, one of Carroll’s witnesses, expressed her elation to People magazine.

Stoynoff, along with Jessica Leeds, testified in court to establish a pattern of misconduct by Trump, as both women claimed to have experienced sexual assaults by the former president. Stoynoff expressed her hope that women who come forward about sexual abuse, assault, or harassment will receive support and emphasized the power of truth.

Though Trump faced no imprisonment in relation to Carroll’s claims, he continues to deal with criminal charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in April. The charges, regarding alleged hush-money payments, do pose a slim chance for jail time. As Trump campaigns for a second presidential term, he also confronts multiple ongoing investigations.

In front of the jury and U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, the former Elle magazine columnist described her encounter with Trump. She recalled bumping into him at Manhattan’s Bergdorf Goodman luxury department store sometime in the late 1995 or early 1996, but was unable to pinpoint an exact date. According to Carroll, Trump acknowledged her as an ‘advice lady’ and she recognized him as the ‘real estate tycoon.’

Carroll went on to explain that Trump requested her assistance in selecting a gift for a female friend, which she agreed to do thinking it would be enjoyable. However, she stated that their lighthearted interaction took a darker turn in the lingerie section. After Trump suggested that she try on a lace bodysuit, Carroll responded with the joke that he should wear it instead. She claimed that Trump then coerced her into a dressing room, using his body weight to prevent her from escaping.

Carroll recounted her confusion with the initial push against the wall, finding the abrupt shift from laughter to aggression inexplicable. She explained that her comprehension of the situation became clear when Trump pressed his mouth against hers. Carroll struggled as Trump allegedly pulled down her tights and inserted his fingers into her vagina, causing her immense pain.

She detailed the subsequent events in court, sharing that Trump then inserted his penis. Despite the adrenaline coursing through her body, Carroll was eventually able to flee after a few minutes. She emphasized that the traumatic incident negatively impacted her life for the following three decades, leaving her unable to engage in sexual relationships or comfortably interact with men.

Carroll confided in two friends about the assault, both of whom testified on her behalf, but decided not to publicly disclose her story until 2019. In her lawsuit, Carroll’s attorneys stated that she ‘resented the fact that practically every woman who courageously came forward with their stories of abuse was subjected to questions like ‘why didn’t you scream.”’

During a contentious moment of the trial, Trump’s lawyer Joe Tacopina posed that very question. Carroll responded by asserting that some women scream and others don’t, but their reactions shouldn’t dictate the validity of their claims. She vehemently declared that whether she screamed or not, Trump raped her.

Despite Tacopina’s contentious and repetitive questioning, which was met with resistance from Judge Kaplan, he persisted in casting doubt on Carroll’s story. Tacopina focused on the lack of a specific date, a police report, and the absence of store employees during the alleged assault.

Carroll explained her decision to speak publicly about her experience was influenced by the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the subsequent #MeToo movement. Initially, she was reluctant to voice her claims during the 2016 election due to her ailing mother’s health and the support Trump received in response to other women’s allegations of abuse. However, following her mother’s passing and witnessing the solidarity and support inspired by the #MeToo movement, she chose to share her story. This verdict seems to reflect a shift in societal norms following the #MeToo era, challenging the expectation that women must react in specific ways after sexual assaults in order to be seen as believable. Carroll’s legal team substantiated their case using her friends’ accounts, the testimonies of other women claiming abuse by Trump, and the infamous ‘Access Hollywood’ tape to reveal a man who appeared more than capable of such actions. Trump’s legal representatives have announced plans to appeal.