Trump’s latest attempt for new E Jean Carroll defamation trial denied

Former President Donald Trump’s request for a new trial in his $83 million defamation case with writer E Jean Carroll has been denied by a federal court. Judge Lewis Kaplan of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York rejected the motion after Trump sought a fresh trial.

In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll. Earlier this year, a jury determined that Trump had defamed Carroll, awarding $65 million in punitive damages and $18 million in compensatory damages. In response, Trump posted a $91.6 million bond to appeal the verdict.

The court denied Trump’s request in the latest ruling, with Judge Kaplan rejecting arguments put forward by Trump’s lawyers. The judge refuted claims that punitive damages could only be awarded if Trump was solely motivated to injure Carroll and that a new case was necessary for punitive damages to be provided by clear and convincing evidence.

Judge Kaplan also dismissed Trump’s claim that the damages award was excessive, stating that Carroll’s compensatory damages were warranted given the impact of Trump’s defamatory remarks on her career, reputation, and emotional well-being.

Robbie Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, praised the ruling, emphasizing the jury’s decision to award $83 million in damages based on Trump’s continued defamation during the trial and his behavior in the courtroom.

The case ruling coincides with the US Supreme Court hearing a case on whether Trump has immunity from criminal prosecution in Special Counsel Jack Smith’s case regarding his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.