Donald Trump has been ordered to pay $5 million to Elizabeth Jean Carroll after a New York appellate court upheld a ruling from May 2023.
Carroll, a former journalist, accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a department store dressing room in 1996 and later defaming her when he called her claims a "hoax."
The case stems from Carroll’s 2019 memoir, where she recounted the alleged assault.
Trump’s remarks dismissing her accusations prompted Carroll to file a defamation lawsuit.
No Evidence of Errors
In 2023, a Manhattan civil court determined Trump was liable for "sexual assault" but not rape. The court awarded Carroll $2 million for the assault and an additional $3 million for defamation.
Trump’s legal team appealed the ruling, but a panel of appellate judges affirmed the decision.
The judges found no evidence of procedural errors in the original trial, reinforcing Carroll’s victory. Trump’s lawyers announced plans to appeal further, maintaining that the verdict was unfair.
This case is one of several civil lawsuits facing the former president. Earlier this year, Carroll secured an $83.3 million judgment in a separate defamation case involving similar allegations.
Trump has also been ordered to pay $454 million in damages following a fraud case tied to the Trump Organization.
Despite these rulings, Trump has successfully avoided criminal convictions in several high-profile federal cases. His legal team frequently argues for presidential immunity, a claim with mixed results.
While criminal cases have been dropped or delayed, civil courts have consistently ruled against him.
Trump’s representatives have called the Carroll lawsuits politically motivated. In a statement, his spokesperson denounced the latest decision as part of a “Democrat-funded witch hunt.”
The case has not significantly affected Trump’s political momentum. He was re-elected in November 2024 and is preparing for his second inauguration.
However, the continued legal battles underscore the challenges of holding a public figure accountable while navigating the complexities of the legal system.
With additional appeals and lawsuits pending, Trump’s legal and political future remains uncertain.
