A U.S. federal appellate court has upheld a $5 million jury verdict against President-elect Donald Trump, confirming his liability for sexually assaulting and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. The ruling, issued by a three-judge panel from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, dismissed Trump’s appeal and reaffirmed the original May 2023 judgement.
The verdict arose from allegations by Carroll, now 81, that Trump assaulted her in the dressing room of the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in 1996. The jury awarded Carroll $2.02 million for the assault and an additional $2.98 million for defamation after Trump disparaged her claims as a “hoax” on his Truth Social platform in October 2022.
Court’s Reasoning
The appellate panel unanimously rejected Trump’s argument that the lower court trial had been compromised by unfairly allowing the jury to hear evidence of his past alleged sexual misconduct. This included the infamous Access Hollywood tape from Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, in which he boasted about sexually aggressive behaviour. The judges found that this evidence demonstrated “a recurring, idiosyncratic pattern of behaviour” consistent with Carroll’s accusations.
“We are not persuaded that any alleged error or combination of errors in the district court’s evidentiary rulings affected Mr. Trump’s substantial rights,” the court stated in its unsigned decision.
Legal Context and Broader Implications
The lawsuit is one of several legal battles facing President-elect Donald Trump as he prepares to assume office following his 2024 election victory. This case spotlighted allegations of sexual misconduct and defamation against Trump, representing a rare instance of a public figure being held legally accountable for such claims. While the jury did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that Trump committed rape, the sexual assault and subsequent defamation were deemed actionable.
Carroll originally filed her lawsuit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, a state law passed in 2022 that temporarily allowed individuals to bring civil claims for alleged sexual misconduct regardless of when the incidents occurred. Trump’s attempt to undermine the credibility of the legal process and Carroll’s claims was a central theme of his appeal, which the court decisively dismissed.
Additional Defamation Case
The legal entanglements between Carroll and Trump extend beyond this $5 million case. In January 2024, a separate jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages for defamation stemming from statements Trump made in June 2019, in which he denied her claims and further disparaged her character. That case remains under appeal, and its outcome could significantly increase the financial liabilities Trump faces as a result of his statements and conduct.
Public and Political Ramifications
The ruling reinforces Carroll’s position and highlights the legal consequences of Trump’s public and private actions. For Trump, who is simultaneously navigating multiple criminal and civil cases, this decision represents another significant legal setback as he seeks to bolster his political standing.
The affirmation of the original verdict also highlights the potential impact of past behaviour on contemporary legal and political narratives. Carroll’s case has drawn widespread attention, raising awareness of the broader issue of accountability for public figures accused of sexual misconduct.
The reaffirmation of the jury’s $5 million verdict, however, stands as a moment of validation for Carroll and a significant precedent in addressing allegations of misconduct by powerful individuals.
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