Trump's Request For New Trial In Rape Defamation Trial Rejected, Judge Says Ex-President's Attacks On E. Jean Carroll 'Malicious And Unceasing'

A federal judge in New York has rejected former President Donald Trump’s appeal for a new trial in a defamation lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. The judge upheld the $83.3 million damage award to Carroll.

What Happened: Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed Trump’s arguments for a new trial on Thursday. Kaplan stated that the compensatory damages awarded to Carroll were not solely for emotional distress and were not excessive, reported ABC News.

He further noted that Trump’s “malicious and unceasing attacks” on Carroll, which reached over 100 million people, included public threats and personal attacks, putting Carroll’s health and safety at risk.

See Also: Bill Ackman Says ‘Not Voting For Biden,’ Slams President For Inaction On American Hostage Issue: ‘Too Focused On Other Talking Points…To Get Re-elected’

Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating it was “entirely reasonable” for the jury to award Carroll $83 million in damages given Trump’s continued defamation during the trial.

Earlier in February, following a five-day trial, Trump was ordered to pay Carroll, a former Elle magazine columnist, $83.3 million for defaming her in 2019 when he denied her allegations of sexual abuse. The award included $17.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages.

In May 2023, in a separate trial, Trump was found liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s and defaming her in a 2022 social media post. However, the jury did not find Trump guilty of rape as claimed by Carroll.

Why It Matters: This lawsuit has been a significant legal battle for Trump. In January, a federal jury in Manhattan ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation lawsuit.

Following the verdict, Trump posted a $91.6 million bond to appeal the defamation verdict in March 2024. The bond, provided by Federal Insurance Co, a part of the insurer Chubb, would cover Carroll's $83.3 million judgment if Trump loses his appeal and refuses to pay.

Read Next: TTrump VP Pool, Including A Mystery Candidate, Put On Notice By Anti-Abortion Group: ‘GOP Ticket Poses A Significant Threat’