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A federal appeals court has upheld a $5 million verdict awarded to E. Jean Carroll, a former magazine columnist, in her lawsuit against Donald Trump. The decision, made by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s and later defaming her. The court rejected Trump’s argument that errors in the trial proceedings unfairly influenced the jury’s verdict.
The case revolves around an incident that Carroll alleges took place in the mid-1990s in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room, where Trump allegedly assaulted her. The jury did not find sufficient evidence to support her claim of rape but awarded her $2.02 million for sexual assault and $2.98 million for defamation after Trump publicly denied the allegations. The court also rejected Trump’s attempt to have the case thrown out or a new trial granted, ruling that the evidence presented supported Carroll’s accusations.
Unanimous Appeals Court Decision
The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals’ unanimous three-judge panel upheld the original verdict, emphasizing that the trial judge’s decisions were sound and did not compromise Trump’s rights. Trump’s legal team had argued that the inclusion of certain evidence, such as past accusations of sexual misconduct and the infamous “Access Hollywood” video, unfairly biased the jury. However, the court disagreed, noting that such evidence demonstrated a “repeated, idiosyncratic pattern of conduct” that was consistent with Carroll’s allegations.
The “Access Hollywood” video, in which Trump is heard making lewd remarks about women, was one of the pieces of evidence allowed during the trial. The court found it relevant as it reinforced the credibility of Carroll’s accusations. Additionally, the testimony of two other women who accused Trump of sexual misconduct—Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff—was also deemed pertinent to establishing a pattern of behavior.
Carroll’s Legal Victory
E. Jean Carroll, now 81, initially came forward with her accusations in 2019, claiming that Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. While the jury did not find enough evidence to support her claim of rape, they still awarded her damages for the assault and defamation she endured after Trump denied the allegations. Trump had publicly dismissed the accusation, claiming that Carroll fabricated the story to promote her memoir and that she was not his “type.”
In a separate defamation case, a jury had previously ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million in January 2024 for damaging her reputation with his denials of the assault. Trump’s lawyers are currently appealing that verdict, but the ongoing legal battles highlight the continued legal challenges facing the former president.
Trump’s Legal Team and Appeals
Trump’s lawyers contended that the trial judge, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan, had made several errors in allowing certain testimony and evidence. They argued that the inclusion of the “Access Hollywood” video, as well as testimonies from other women, was prejudicial. However, the appeals court rejected these claims, ruling that the evidence demonstrated a clear and consistent pattern of misconduct, which was crucial for corroborating Carroll’s allegations.
Furthermore, Trump’s legal team argued that the trial judge erred by allowing testimony regarding the funding of Carroll’s case by Reid Hoffman, a prominent Democratic donor. They claimed this was an attempt to undermine the credibility of the case. However, the appeals court found that this argument had little bearing on the verdict, noting that Hoffman’s financial support had “little probative value” in the case.
The Ongoing Legal Battles
Despite Trump having been elected as the next US president in November 2024, his legal troubles are far from over. In a landmark 1997 ruling, the US Supreme Court determined that sitting presidents do not have immunity from civil litigation involving actions unrelated to their official duties. This precedent continues to apply to Trump, who faces ongoing lawsuits related to accusations of sexual misconduct and defamation.
The case, which began with Carroll’s accusations and has resulted in multiple legal battles, demonstrates the significant legal and reputational challenges Trump faces. The most recent ruling ensures that Carroll’s case will continue, with Trump’s legal team likely preparing for further appeals as the legal proceedings unfold.
