A federal appeals court has rejected former President Donald Trump’s bid to overturn a $5 million civil verdict for sexual assault and defamation against journalist E. Jean Carroll. The decision, issued by the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, reaffirms a jury’s 2023 ruling that Trump sexually assaulted Carroll in a Bergdorf Goodman fitting room in 1996 and defamed her decades later.
The three-judge panel unanimously upheld the jury’s findings, dismissing Trump’s claims that the trial court judge mishandled evidence. Central to Trump’s appeal was the use of the 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape, in which he notoriously stated, “When you’re a star, they let you do it,” referencing grabbing women without their consent.
“The district court did not abuse its discretion in making any of the challenged evidentiary rulings,” the appeals court wrote. “The jury reached its conclusions based on a properly developed record.”
Trump’s legal team argued that Judge Lewis Kaplan’s evidentiary decisions unfairly influenced the jury. They also sought a new trial, citing alleged errors during the proceedings. The appeals court rejected these arguments, standing firmly by the original trial’s integrity.
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, welcomed the ruling. “We are gratified by today’s decision and thank the Second Circuit for its careful consideration,” she said in a statement.
E. Jean Carroll, a former advice columnist for Elle, first came forward with her allegations in 2019. She accused Trump of attacking her in the 1990s, a claim he vehemently denied. Trump repeatedly stated he had never met Carroll, dismissed her claims as a ploy to sell her memoir, and asserted she was “not his type.”
A jury in May 2023 found Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages.
Following the latest legal setback, Trump’s team doubled down. “The American people have re-elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate, and they demand an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system,” his adviser Steven Cheung said in a statement. “We will continue to appeal this Democrat-funded hoax.”
Trump, 78, is also appealing an additional $83.3 million verdict issued in January 2024. That ruling held him accountable for further defaming Carroll after her allegations became public.
Legal experts say the rulings set a precedent for holding public figures accountable for personal misconduct. “This case underscores the importance of the judiciary in ensuring justice, regardless of political power,” said legal analyst Maria Ramirez.
For Carroll, the decision marks another step toward vindication. “This was never just about me,” she said in a 2023 interview. “It’s about standing up to abuse and showing that truth matters.”
The legal battles are far from over, as Trump’s legal team vows to take their appeals to the highest levels. Meanwhile, Carroll’s supporters hope this ruling serves as a turning point in addressing sexual assault allegations against powerful figures.
With appeals ongoing and public opinion sharply divided, the Carroll case remains a lightning rod for discussions about accountability and the intersection of politics and justice. Whether Trump’s legal challenges will impact his political aspirations remains a key question heading into 2025.
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This judge should be in prison for life for not dismissing this case at the onset for not having a date, week, month, year, or even decade when it supposedly occurred… F the evil Democrats’ “Believe All Women” nonsense!
She Appears to me to Be LyingSent from my iPhone
May those judges get the plague. This is the freak
E Jean Carrol needs to get a life instead of just getting rich off her lying about Trump.
She is lying her actions seem sneaky and absurd finding her hard to believe her accusations
The lawless, maniacal, America/Constitution hating, ideologically extremist Democrats are a disgrace, and a threat rio our Republic!
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