E. Jean Carroll, who was found to have been sexually assaulted by Donald Trump, will likely pursue a $83-million judgment against the president-elect “with renewed vigor” after an appeal court victory, a trial attorney has told Newsweek.
Newsweek has contacted legal representatives for Trump and Carroll via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The Carroll case feeds into a wider debate about sexual harassment and sexual assault, particularly after the rise of the Me Too movement.
She will be permitted to pursue the $88.3 million that Trump owes her from two cases, even though the Republican will be sworn in as U.S. president on January 20.
That is likely to cause political embarrassment for the new president as he seeks to consolidate power after his inauguration.
E. Jean Carroll on October 8, 2024, in New York City. A New York court has rejected Donald Trump’s appeal against the $5 million awarded to Carroll for sexual assault and harassment.
Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
What To Know
On Monday, the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the trial judge was correct in allowing two other women to testify about Trump’s history of sexual harassment.
His accuser had sued him for $5 million, which was awarded, and, in May, 2024, she successfully sued him for an additional $83.3 million for defamation.
The appeal court rejected his claims that Lewis Kaplan, the trial judge in Carroll’s first case, should not have allowed two women to testify that Trump had previously sexually harassed them.
The court also rejected Trump’s claim that Kaplan should not have allowed Carroll’s legal team to introduce the infamous Access Hollywood tape, in which Trump had boasted that women allow famous men like him to grab them in a sexual way, without first seeking their consent.
What People Are Saying
John J. Perlstein spoke to Newsweek after the New York court rejected Trump’s appeal against a $5-million sexual assault and defamation case.
“Relying solely on evidentiary rulings can be challenging, as a significant portion of the decision-making process rests with the discretion of the trial judge,” he said.
“In this instance, the judge deemed it necessary to establish a pattern of behavior in order to prove the claim.
“This ruling may suggest that the defense will pursue the second $83-million lawsuit with renewed vigor,” he said.
The Court of Appeals ruled on Monday 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 court said.
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, said in a statement that “Both E. Jean Carroll and I are gratified by today’s decision. We thank the Second Circuit for its careful consideration of the parties’ arguments.”
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said in a statement that the case is part of a vendetta against the president-elect.
“The American People have reelected 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,” Cheung said.
What Happens Next
Carroll will be free to collect the $88.3 million she won in both cases against Trump, even after he is inaugurated as president in January.
A 1997 Supreme Court ruling found that lawsuits against sitting presidents can proceed if they do not involve actions that the president took while in office.
In the 1997 case, Paula Jones won the right to pursue a case against then President Bill Clinton for sexual harassment.
However, it is possible that Trump may appeal Monday’s ruling to the Supreme Court.
