Federal Appeals Court Upholds $83.3 Million Defamation Verdict Against Donald Trump in E. Jean Carroll Case

A federal appeals court has delivered a major setback for Donald Trump by upholding the $83.3 million jury award he owes E. Jean Carroll for defamation. The ruling reinforces the gravity of the case and underscores the court’s agreement with the jury’s findings.

In its decision, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals stated, “We hold that the district court did not err in any of the challenged rulings and that the jury’s duly rendered damages awards were reasonable in light of the extraordinary and egregious facts of this case.” The judges emphasized that the amount awarded was entirely justified given the overwhelming evidence presented at trial.

The court highlighted Trump’s repeated public attacks on Carroll, even after a jury had already determined that he defamed her by denying her claims of sexual assault and suggesting she fabricated the story to promote her book. “He made three of these attacks within 48 hours of the verdict in Carroll and launched similar attacks in the days and weeks leading up to this trial,” the ruling stated, describing his behavior as “extraordinary and unprecedented.”

The judges further noted that the award was “neither unpredictable nor unreasonable in relation to the actual harm that had occurred and the harm likely to result.”

Trump’s legal team had attempted to overturn the verdict, claiming it “severely damages the presidency and is a great miscarriage of justice.” Carroll’s attorneys countered, asserting that “the president is not above the law.”

This ruling is significant because it reinforces the principle that no individual, regardless of position, is exempt from accountability. The Carroll case also serves as a public reminder of the legal consequences Trump faces.

On a financial note, Trump’s delay in paying the $83.3 million award could make the total sum even larger, as New York applies an annual interest rate of 9% on such judgments.