Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty of sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll, a writer and former advice columnist for Elle magazine, by a New York jury. The verdict was announced on Tuesday, May 10, 2023, after three weeks of trial.
According to the allegations made by Carroll, Trump sexually assaulted her in a dressing room of a luxury department store in the mid-1990s. However, Trump denied the accusations, calling them “totally false” and “a hoax.” In response, Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump in November 2019, claiming that he defamed her by calling her a liar and damaging her reputation.
During the trial, both Trump and Carroll appeared in person to give testimony. The jury heard from several witnesses and reviewed evidence, including surveillance footage and Trump’s DNA samples. After a long and detailed trial, the jury found that Trump had indeed sexually assaulted Carroll and had defamed her with his comments.
The jury ordered Trump to pay $5 million to Carroll as compensation for the damage done to her reputation. The amount was lower than the $75 million that Carroll had initially sought in damages. However, Carroll expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating that she was grateful for the jury’s decision and the opportunity to tell her story.
This verdict marks a significant blow to Trump’s reputation and could have implications for his political career. It also highlights the ongoing issue of sexual assault and harassment against women, particularly in positions of power.
In conclusion, the New York jury’s decision to find Donald Trump guilty of sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll and ordering him to pay $5 million in compensation is a significant verdict that will have repercussions for both Trump and the wider public discourse on sexual assault.
