• A federal appeals court upheld the jury verdict finding Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, maintaining the $5 million damages awarded.
  • The court rejected Trump’s claims that testimony from other accusers and the “Access Hollywood” tape were unfairly admitted, deeming them relevant to the case.
  • This ruling adds to Trump’s legal challenges, including a separate $83 million defamation judgment in another case involving Carroll.

A federal appeals court on Monday denied Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn a jury verdict that found he sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s. The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Trump failed to prove the district court made errors that affected his right to a fair trial.

Trump Found Liable for Sexual Abuse and Defamation

The earlier jury trial held Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan. It also found Trump defamed Carroll through statements made in 2022, awarding her $5 million in damages. Monday’s ruling upheld this decision, marking another legal setback for the former president.

Trump’s Appeal Arguments

In the appeal, Trump argued that District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan made mistakes. Specifically, he claimed the judge wrongly allowed two women, Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff, to testify that Trump had sexually assaulted them in separate incidents. Trump has denied these allegations. Furthermore, Trump criticized the court for admitting part of the infamous 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape, where Trump described grabbing women without consent.

However, the appellate court disagreed with Trump’s claims. It ruled that the testimony of Leeds and Stoynoff was relevant and that the “Access Hollywood” tape was valid evidence highlighting a pattern of behavior. According to the court, the jury could reasonably interpret the tape as supporting Carroll’s accusations.

Additional Legal Challenges for Trump

This decision is not the end of Trump’s legal troubles with Carroll. In a separate civil trial, another jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83 million in damages for defamation. This case stemmed from additional statements Trump made about Carroll. Trump is currently appealing that verdict as well.

Reactions to the Ruling

Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, welcomed Monday’s ruling. In a statement, she expressed gratitude to the court for carefully considering the arguments presented. She also reiterated her and Carroll’s satisfaction with the decision.

Implications for Trump and the Legal Process

The case has drawn widespread attention, as it involves a former president facing serious allegations. Trump’s defense team has consistently denied the claims and argued that the legal process has been biased against him. Despite these objections, courts at multiple levels have now ruled against Trump in the Carroll cases.

Legal experts view this ruling as a significant affirmation of the jury’s decisions in the initial trial. With additional appeals in progress, the Carroll cases will likely remain a focal point in Trump’s ongoing legal challenges. Meanwhile, Monday’s decision reinforces the credibility of the judicial process in addressing high-profile allegations.

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