A federal jury in New York on Tuesday found mostly in favor of writer E. Jean Carroll in her rape and defamation lawsuit against disgraced former President Trump, ending a heated trial in which the twice-impeached loser declined to testify in his own defense, and in the eyes of the law confirming Donald’s predatory nature toward women – a nature he himself infamously bragged about.
The majority of the decision found Trump liable for sexually assaulting Carroll, but did not find sufficient evidence to conclude he raped her. However, the jury found the evidence supported Carroll’s claims that he attacked her and proceeded to defame her with his statements labeling her claims as lies and her as a liar. Specific decisions on the ten counts:
- Did Carroll prove Trump raped her: No
- Did Carroll prove Trump sexually abused her: Yes
- Did Carroll prove Trump forcibly touched her: Yes
- Award for sexual abuse and injury: $2 million
- Was Trump willfully negligent: Yes
- Award and Damages: $20,000
- Did Trump defame Carroll: Yes
- Was Trump’s statement false: Yes
- Did Trump make statements with malice: Yes
- Was Carroll injured by Trump’s false statements: Yes
- Reputational repair payment: $1 million
- $1.7 million additional reputation repair judgement
- Did Trump make statements with malice? Yes
- How much in punitive damages: $280,000
The difference in the decision between the rape charge and the sexual abuse charge likely comes down to a statement Carroll made during the trial, in which she stated that she knows Trump penetrated her with her fingers, but she could not be certain if Trump’s penis penetrated her.