Appeals Court Rules Against Trump in Carroll Case, Legal Options Shrinking

A federal appeals court in New York has upheld a jury verdict finding former President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming columnist E. Jean Carroll. This decision gives Mr. Trump 90 days to petition the Supreme Court if he wishes to overturn the ruling.

The three-judge panel of the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals issued a mandate on Thursday, affirming their December ruling that upheld the original verdict. This verdict, reached in May 2023, ordered Mr. Trump to pay $5 million in damages to Ms. Carroll.

Ms. Carroll, now 81, alleged that Donald Trump abused her in a New York City department store in the mid-1990s. Trump has consistently denied these claims. The jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation, but not for rape.

$2.02 million for sexual assault and $2.98 million for defamation. This decision represents a significant legal setback for the former president.

Ms. Carroll celebrated the appellate court’s decision on social media, while a legal spokesperson for Mr. Trump referred to the case as “liberal lawfare” in a statement to CNBC. The Trump team continues to assert that the claims are false and politically motivated.

This development follows earlier reports that Donald Trump was unable to persuade the same court to reconsider the $5 million verdict in June. The court left intact its December decision upholding the jury award.

The evidence suggests that this case may continue to evolve, potentially reaching the Supreme Court. This raises important questions about the intersection of personal conduct, political office, and the legal system.