Former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during his first post-presidency campaign rally at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington, Ohio, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo)
In a high-profile civil trial, a jury found former President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, a former Elle advice columnist. The case took place in a Manhattan federal court and centered on allegations of rape and defamation brought by Carroll against Trump under New York's Adult Survivors Act, which provides a one-year window for sexual abuse survivors to file claims that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations.
The unanimous verdict, reached after less than three hours of deliberation, marks the first time Trump has been held legally responsible for sexual misconduct. He has faced accusations of sexual assault from numerous women in the past.
During the trial, the nine-member jury, comprising six men and three women, considered 10 questions and ultimately determined that Trump sexually abused, but did not rape, Carroll. As this is a civil trial, the verdict does not determine guilt or lead to criminal charges. However, the jury ordered Trump to pay $2 million for sexual abuse and $3 million for defamation.
Trump continues to deny Carroll's allegations. Following the trial, he posted on his social media platform Truth Social, stating, "I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHO THIS WOMAN IS. THIS VERDICT IS A DISGRACE - A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME!"
Carroll's lawsuit claimed that Trump "seized Plaintiff E. Jean Carroll, forced her up against a dressing room wall, pinned her in place with his shoulder, and raped her" in a Bergdorf Goodman department store approximately 27 years ago. She sought redress for her injuries and to demonstrate that even someone as powerful as Trump can be held accountable under the law.
Carroll went public with her allegations in 2019. Trump denied the claims, stating she was "not my type" and that he had "never met this person in my life." He also claimed that Carroll was lying to help sell her memoir. Carroll first sued Trump for defamation in 2019, alleging his comments caused her emotional pain, suffering, and damage to her reputation and career. That suit remains stalled over disputes regarding the Department of Justice's role in defending Trump.
Carroll's most recent lawsuit, filed in November 2022, alleges both battery and defamation. During the trial, she testified, "I'm here because Donald Trump raped me," and "when I wrote about it, he said it didn't happen." She added, "He lied and shattered my reputation, and I'm here to try and get my life back."
The trial also featured testimonies from other women who accused Trump of sexual assault, including former PEOPLE writer Natasha Stoynoff and ex-businesswoman Jessica Leeds.
This verdict comes as Trump faces other legal challenges, including pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with alleged hush money payments made to two women during his 2016 presidential campaign.
