Donald Trump, sentenced to pay $83.3 million to writer E. Jean Carroll for defamation

On January 26th, a federal jury in Manhattan issued a condemning verdict that compels former President of the United States, Donald Trump, to disburse a substantial sum of $83.3 million as compensation.

This verdict stems from a lawsuit filed by the writer and columnist E. Jean Carroll in November 2019, in response to prior statements made by Trump.

Five months before the lawsuit, Trump publicly asserted that he did not know Carroll and that her accusation of a purported rape in the mid-1990s was false.

In this edition of our newsletter, we will delve into the reasons behind the amount of compensation imposed by the jury, delve into the events of the 1990s that led to this pivotal moment, and scrutinize in detail the impact of this verdict on Donald Trump’s online reputation.

$83.3 million: the substantial compensation Trump must pay to Carroll for defamation

After a week and a half of trial, which commenced on January 16th, and following three hours of careful deliberation, the jury, consisting of seven men and two women, delivered a unanimous verdict.

The condemning verdict decreed that the American magnate, Donald Trump, must disburse an amount of $83.3 million to the writer and columnist E. Jean Carroll.

This sum is itemized as $18.3 million in damages and an additional $65 million as punitive damages, as reported in a CNN briefing.

The magnitude of this judgment, eight times higher than the plaintiff’s initial demands, has triggered a series of reactions in the political arena. A noteworthy comment came from Nikki Haley, one of the contenders in the presidential race, who expressed her thoughts on her X platform:

“Donald Trump wants to be the presumptive Republican nominee and we’re talking about $83 million in damages. We’re not talking about fixing the border. We’re not talking about tackling inflation. America can do better than Donald Trump and Joe Biden”.

It is important to note that this is not the first time Carroll and Trump have faced off in court. In May of last year, Trump was convicted of sexual abuse and Reputational Damage harm to the writer, resulting in a penalty of five million dollars.

This amount now adds to the $83.3 million verdict.

This legal defeat for the former president contrasts with his recent victories, winning in Iowa and more recently in New Hampshire.

Jean Carroll: Who is she and why did she sue Trump?

Jean Carroll, a writer and columnist, became a public figure when she accused former President Donald Trump of a shocking sexual assault allegation that occurred in the 1990s.

Her story and her courageous decision to sue Trump have generated significant public interest and media attention.

In 2019, Carroll first made her accusation public in an article published in The New York Times.

This revelation marked the beginning of a significant chapter in her life and career, as she decided to document her experience in a book titled “Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal?”, where she details the alleged assault by Trump.

Carroll’s decision to sue the former president came in 2019, after Trump publicly dismissed her, calling her “crazy” and stating that she was “not his type” during a court appearance.

However, in November 2022, a new law in the state of New York enabled Carroll to file a lawsuit for sexual assault, despite the incident having exceeded the statute of limitations.

This new legislation opened the door for survivors of sexual assault to seek justice even years after the events occurred.

Carroll’s Testimony: How and Where Did the Assault Occur?

According to Carroll’s testimony in her book, the incident took place in 1996 when Trump and she crossed paths in the elegant halls of Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

Carroll recalls that Trump recognized her at that moment, as she worked for Elle magazine and was involved in a television program where she offered advice to the audience.

Carroll’s testimony is based on Trump asking for her assistance in choosing a gift, which initially excited her.

Trump led her to the lingerie section and persuaded her to try on an item. In a humorous manner, Carroll suggested that he should try it on instead, to which Trump enthusiastically obliged.

This interaction evolved into flirtation between them, and she claims he led her into a fitting room.

“He closed the door and pushed me against the wall so hard that I hit my head. I was very confused.”

“What started as something fun and light, a great story to tell everyone, suddenly turned dark,” she explained.

When asked why she did not report the incident to the police at the time, Carroll explained that she received conflicting advice from friends.

A journalist recommended she do so, but another friend convinced her not to, citing Trump’s power and the harm it could inflict on her.

After nearly 30 years, a jury in New York found Trump guilty in this case, imposing a significant compensation on Carroll.

Online reputation management, an increasingly important aspect in the digital world, has been crucial in cases like this, where accusations and testimonies can have a lasting impact on the public image of those involved.

Controversial Trial and Trump’s Exit from the Courtroom

Trump’s condemnation to pay 83.3 million dollars represents a figure eight times greater than the minimum amount of 10 million dollars that Carroll initially sought as compensation for the damages suffered.

During the course of the trial, a specialist in damages and harm raised this figure to 12.1 million dollars, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

Out of the 83.3 million dollars, 18.3 million are allocated to compensate Carroll for the damages and harm caused, with 11 million dollars earmarked for repairing her reputation and 7.3 million dollars to compensate for the emotional distress she endured.

The remaining 65 million dollars are imposed as punitive damages, reflecting the gravity of Trump’s actions in this case. However, the trial was far from tranquil.

Carroll’s attorneys expressed concerns about Trump’s interruptions, as he muttered phrases like “hoax” and “witch hunt” loudly enough for the jury members to hear.

Senior District Judge Kaplan of the Southern District of New York even threatened to eject him from the courtroom due to his disruptive behavior.

Regarding the plaintiff Carroll, as reported by The Guardian, she stated hours after the trial concluded:

“This is a great victory for every woman who rises when she has been knocked down and a great defeat for every bully who has tried to keep a woman down.”

Trump’s Reputation After the Trial

Trump’s first indictment in March of last year was an unprecedented event in the history of the United States, as no sitting or former president had previously faced criminal charges.

However, instead of weakening his political standing, Trump saw this situation as an opportunity to solidify his base of supporters and raise funds for his legal defense.

This crisis management strategy has benefited him both financially and in terms of political support.

Prior to the initial indictment, Trump had a 46% approval rating in the primaries.

Currently, according to the FiveThirtyEight model, that figure has risen to 70.7%.

This increase in popularity has translated into significant backing both within and outside the Republican Party.

Despite his victories in the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primaries, there is uncertainty about how this new conviction could affect his ongoing presidential campaign.

The 83.3 million dollars he must pay represent approximately 2.68% of his fortune, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index data, which estimates his net worth at 3.1 billion dollars.

This figure does not include the money from the Trump Organization or campaign contributions.

Trump’s team reports raising 10 million dollars in the first quarter of last year, before the initial indictment, 35 million in the second quarter, and 45.5 million in the last quarter.

These funds have been essential for his political marketing and his ability to maintain a committed supporter base.

Following the trial, Trump expressed his disagreement on his Truth Social account:

Absolutely ridiculous! I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party.

Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!

It is important to note that Trump’s trial coincided with the Republican primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire, and due to his iconic victory, it led to the withdrawal of his rival, DeSantis.

This outcome underscores Trump’s ability to manage crisis situations and maintain his influence in American politics.

Conclusion

The damning verdict that compels Donald Trump to pay 83.3 million dollars to writer E. Jean Carroll for defamation marks a significant moment in the legal and political history of the United States.

This case illustrates the critical importance of reputation management in a highly media-driven and polarized world.

In an environment where accusations and testimonies can have a lasting impact on people’s public image, online reputation has become a crucial factor.

Trump has demonstrated his ability to use crisis management strategies to maintain and strengthen his supporter base, even in adverse situations.

At ReputationUP, we understand the importance of a solid public image.

We offer personal and corporate reputation management services to help you navigate challenging situations and achieve your personal and professional goals.

Contact us today and discover how we can work together to ensure your reputation is in the best hands!

Don’t let public opinion challenges affect your goals and future.

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