E. Jean Carroll's $83 million judgment against Trump upheld by appeals court
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E. Jean Carroll arrives at Manhattan federal court in New York on Jan. 26, 2024, in New York City. Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images
A federal appeals court on Monday upheld the $83.3 million judgment imposed on President Trump for his defamatory statements about writer E. Jean Carroll.
The big picture: The president has repeatedly challenged the verdict and is expected to turn to the Supreme Court to reverse a separate $5 million verdict in a civil suit where he was found liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll.
Driving the news: "We conclude that Trump has failed to identify any grounds that would warrant reconsidering our prior holding on presidential immunity," the ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals read, rejecting the argument he should have been shielded from litigation.
- The three-judge panel added that the jury's damages award was "fair and reasonable" and affirmed the district court's judgement.
- "[T]he record makes clear that Trump acted with, at a minimum, reckless disregard for the truth," the ruling read.
- The judges noted that Trump's attacks against Carroll continued through the litigation and after the juries found that his statements were defamatory.
What they're saying: Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's attorney, said in a statement provided to Axios that the court affirmed that "E. Jean Carroll was telling the truth, and that President Donald Trump was not."
- She added, "We look forward to an end to the appellate process so that justice will finally be done."
The other side: A spokesperson for Trump's legal team said in a statement to Axios that "[t]he American People stand with President Trump as they demand an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded travesty of the Carroll Hoaxes."
- The spokesperson added the attorney general has determined case is "legally required to be taken over by the Department of Justice because Carroll based her false claims on the President's official acts, including statements from the White House."
Catch up quick: Carroll sued Trump twice, once for defaming her while he was president and against in 2022 for defamatory comments and the alleged assault.
- While in the White House during his first term, Trump mocked Carroll and claimed that she fabricated accusations against him to boost her book sales.
Go deeper: Trump's bid to slash $83M defamation payout to E. Jean Carroll rejected by judge
