A federal appeals court decided that President-elect Donald Trump cannot have a new trial in the sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. This unanimous decision came after a jury previously found sufficient evidence suggesting Trump sexually abused Carroll in the mid-1990s at a New York City department store. The court's 77-page ruling dismissed Trump's numerous complaints about the trial's fairness and supported the inclusion of testimonies from two other women alleging similar experiences with Trump.
The incident, as described during the trial, involved Trump forcefully kissing Carroll, pulling down her tights, and digitally penetrating her against her will. This altercation reportedly occurred after what began as a friendly interaction between the two while shopping. Despite Trump’s strong denial of these allegations and his intention to take this matter to the Supreme Court, his request for a new trial has been denied. Furthermore, Trump faces another legal battle in January 2024 regarding additional defamation charges by Carroll, with an outcome still pending.
The court also addressed concerns over jurors seeing an "Access Hollywood" video where Trump made inappropriate comments about women. The decision to allow this evidence was deemed appropriate by the appeals court. Carroll’s case against Trump included accusations of rape, sexual abuse, and defamation under New York law. Although the jury did not support the rape claim based on New York’s stringent definition requiring proof of forceful penetration involving genitalia, they agreed that Trump was liable for sexual abuse and defamation.
The disagreement over New York’s definition of rape prompted further discussion by District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan, who argued that modern interpretations of rape extend beyond New York’s current penal code definitions. As such, Kaplan concluded that Carroll's claim that she was raped by Trump is "substantially true" under broader understandings of rape today.
This ruling marks a significant conclusion to one phase of Carroll's legal battles against Trump, with more than $88 million awarded to her across two lawsuits for damages. Both parties’ attorneys have been contacted for comments but have yet to respond publicly at this time.
The incident, as described during the trial, involved Trump forcefully kissing Carroll, pulling down her tights, and digitally penetrating her against her will. This altercation reportedly occurred after what began as a friendly interaction between the two while shopping. Despite Trump’s strong denial of these allegations and his intention to take this matter to the Supreme Court, his request for a new trial has been denied. Furthermore, Trump faces another legal battle in January 2024 regarding additional defamation charges by Carroll, with an outcome still pending.
The court also addressed concerns over jurors seeing an "Access Hollywood" video where Trump made inappropriate comments about women. The decision to allow this evidence was deemed appropriate by the appeals court. Carroll’s case against Trump included accusations of rape, sexual abuse, and defamation under New York law. Although the jury did not support the rape claim based on New York’s stringent definition requiring proof of forceful penetration involving genitalia, they agreed that Trump was liable for sexual abuse and defamation.
The disagreement over New York’s definition of rape prompted further discussion by District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan, who argued that modern interpretations of rape extend beyond New York’s current penal code definitions. As such, Kaplan concluded that Carroll's claim that she was raped by Trump is "substantially true" under broader understandings of rape today.
This ruling marks a significant conclusion to one phase of Carroll's legal battles against Trump, with more than $88 million awarded to her across two lawsuits for damages. Both parties’ attorneys have been contacted for comments but have yet to respond publicly at this time.
