Judge upholds $83M Carroll verdict, denies Trump's retrial motion

A federal judge has denied former President Donald Trump's request for a new trial in the defamation case filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. The judge also refused to strike down the $83.3 million in damages awarded to Carroll by a jury. Judge Lewis Kaplan found Trump's legal arguments insufficient and declared that the punitive damages met constitutional standards. The decision follows Carroll's allegations that Trump sexually assaulted her, which he has denied, resulting in the defamation suit.

Judge Kaplan remarked on the scope of Trump's remarks about Carroll, highlighting that his statements, including public threats and personal attacks, reached an audience of over 100 million people. Kaplan emphasized that the damages awarded were not excessive and extended beyond compensation for emotional distress, indicating that Trump's position as president at the time added weight to his defamatory statements, which were aimed at discrediting Carroll.

The former president's legal team, led by attorney Alina Habba, criticized the judge's decision, asserting it neglected constitutional principles and exemplified widespread lawfare. Trump's separate appeal of the verdict is still pending, as he continues to challenge the outcome of the case.