Former President Donald Trump faces another legal setback as appeals court upholds $5 million verdict in E. Jean Carroll case.
At a Glance
- Federal appeals court upholds $5 million civil judgment against Trump in E. Jean Carroll case
- Trump found liable for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s and defaming her after she went public
- Trump denies allegations, calls the case a “political witch hunt”
- Trump spokesperson criticizes ruling, calls for end to “political weaponization” of justice system
Appeals Court Rejects Trump’s Challenge
In a significant legal development, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a $5 million civil judgment against former President Donald Trump in the E. Jean Carroll case. The court rejected Trump’s appeal, stating that he failed to demonstrate any errors that affected his substantial rights during the trial.
The jury had previously found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a Manhattan department store in the 1990s and defaming her after she went public with her allegations. Trump has consistently denied these claims, characterizing the legal proceedings as a “political witch hunt” orchestrated by his opponents.
“We conclude that Mr. Trump has not demonstrated that the district court erred in any of the challenged rulings. Further, he has not carried his burden to show that any claimed error or combination of claimed errors affected his substantial rights as required to warrant a new trial,” the ruling said.
A federal appeals court denied Donald Trump’s request for a new trial in New York writer E. Jean Carroll’s sexual abuse lawsuit, dealing a blow to the president-elect as he seeks to put his legal woes behind him before taking office. https://t.co/cNKV2HyeJp
— Bloomberg Law (@BLaw) December 30, 2024
Trump’s Response and Legal Strategy
Following the appeals court decision, Trump’s spokesperson, Steven Cheung, issued a statement criticizing the ruling and calling for an end to what he described as the political weaponization of the justice system. The statement reflects Trump’s ongoing narrative that the legal challenges he faces are politically motivated attempts to undermine his influence and reputation.
“The American People have re-elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate, and 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 Carroll Hoax, which will continue to be appealed,” said Cheung.
Trump’s legal team had argued that the original verdict was “grossly excessive” and cited what they claimed were unfair rulings by the trial judge. However, the appeals court found no abuse of discretion in the evidentiary rulings during the trial, including the decision to allow testimony from two other women who alleged Trump had sexually accosted them.
Implications and Ongoing Legal Battles
This latest development is part of a series of legal challenges facing the former president. Trump is also appealing an $83 million defamation judgment in a separate case related to comments he made about Carroll. The President-elect continues to characterize these cases as “witch hunts,” and he remains steadfast that he is being unfairly targeted by political opponents.
