Trump Loses Appeal of $5M Carroll Verdict

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Dec 30, 2024

Above: Donald Trump in April 2024. Image copyright: Charly Triballeau/Contributor/AFP via Getty Imagesstory last updated Dec 31, 2024

The Facts

The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Monday upheld a $5M civil verdict that found Pres.-elect Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll in a Manhattan department store during the mid-1990s.
The original May 2023 jury verdict awarded Carroll, a former Elle Magazine advice columnist, $2.02M for sexual assault and $2.98M for defamation related to Trump's October 2022 Truth Social post denying her claims.

The Spin

Anti-Trump narrative

This is a win for all victims of sexual violence. All the relevant evidence proved Trump's long history of exploiting women. Individuals like Carroll, and justice-seeking courts like the Second Circuit, should continue fighting for powerless victims despite Trump's reelection to the presidency.

Pro-Trump narrative

There wasn't nearly enough evidence against Trump in this case, but because of a new law — which is suspiciously tailored to target Trump — this appeal was rejected. This court is just participating in the political witch hunt that's lasted more than a decade against the president-elect.