Tuesday May 23, 2023
E. Jean Carroll, the woman who recently won $5 million in damages from former President Donald J. Trump, is now seeking additional financial compensation following her defamatory remarks on a CNN program just a day after the verdict.
In a filing filed in Manhattan federal court, Carroll aims to escalate financial consequences for Trump, who was found liable by a civil jury on May 9 for sexual abuse and defamation. The jury's verdict ordered Trump to pay Carroll $2 million for sexual abuse. and $3 million for defamation.
Carroll's latest legal action revolves around a separate defamation lawsuit she filed against Trump in 2019, which is being overseen by the same judge who presided over the civil trial. The lawsuit stemmed from Trump's comments in 2019 where Carroll accused him of raping her in the dressing room of a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. Although the case was stayed on appeal, it remains unresolved.
In a letter to the judge, Carroll's attorney revealed Trump's threat to retaliate by suing Carroll or seeking sanctions. Trump, who is actively campaigning to regain the presidency, took to CNN to dismiss Carroll's account as "fake" and a "made up story." Despite photographic evidence of their acquaintance, he claimed he had never met Carroll, called her a "fucking job" and dismissed the civil suit as a "rigged deal".
According to the court filing, Trump's defamatory statements after the verdict demonstrate his deep malice toward Carroll, reflecting intense hatred and ill will. The filing argues that such conduct warrants significant punitive damages that serve to punish Trump and deter him from further defamation, while deterring others from doing the same.
However, Trump continues to challenge the jury's decision as his lawyer filed an appeal of the verdict. Carroll's attorney stressed the importance of continuing the ongoing defamation lawsuit and stressed the need to address the undermining of the justice system when defamatory statements go unpunished.
Carroll's filing seeks to amend her 2019 defamation lawsuit to include the jury's verdict against Trump, as well as his remarks on CNN and his Truth Social platform. These amendments are essential to accurately reflect the impact of Trump's repeated defamatory statements.
In a recent interview, Carroll expressed her outrage at Trump's comments to CNN, calling them disgusting and vile and causing significant damage. She emphasized the need to hold Trump accountable and preserve the integrity of the jury's verdict.
As the legal battle heats up, Carroll's pursuit of additional damages underscores her determination to address the damage caused by Trump's defamatory rhetoric. The outcome of this ongoing legal tussle will have far-reaching consequences and shape the discourse regarding accountability and justice for both Carroll and Trump.
