83.3 million dollars (76.7 million euros)! This is the sum that Donald Trump had to pay E. Jean Carroll because he defamed her against the backdrop of sexual assault in the 1990s. That's what a civil jury in Manhattan decided when it returned its verdict late in the afternoon on Friday, January 26th.
Specifically, they awarded the plaintiff, a former Elle magazine columnist in his 80s, $18.3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $65 million in “punitive damages,” according to a statement dated June 21, 2019 had that Trump “acted with malice, hatred, malice or malice, revenge, or willful disregard for Ms. Carroll’s rights.”
Donald Trump left the Manhattan courthouse before the verdict was handed down, but quickly responded on his Truth Social network: “Absolutely ridiculous! I completely disagree and will be appealing this entire Biden-led witch hunt focused on me and the Republican Party. Our legal system is out of control and is being used as a political weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment rights [de la Constitution, qui garantit la liberté d’expression]. THIS IS NOT AMERICA! »
This is the second time Donald Trump has been convicted in this case. In May 2023, a jury sentenced him to $5 million in compensatory damages after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting Ms. Carroll in 1996 – not raping her – and defamation in 2022. Since this was a civil case, the burden of proof was lower and no prison sentence was possible.
Also read: Article reserved for our subscribers Former US President Donald Trump was found guilty of sexual assault after a historic verdict
In a book published in 2019, E. Jean Carroll explained that she was raped in a dressing room at the New York City store Bergdorf-Goodman on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. She said Donald Trump encouraged her to try on lingerie. As they entered the changing room, according to Ms Carroll, he pushed her against the wall, kissed her on the lips, then pulled down her tights, unzipped his trousers and forced his “fingers around my private area, pushing his penis halfway – or …” Quite, I'm not sure – in me.” Donald Trump, who was president of the United States at the time the book was published, called Ms. Carroll a liar and said that a sexual relationship with her was impossible because she is “not”. [s]we type.” Ms Carroll then decided in 2022 to attack him for rape and defamation.
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