After facing a $91.6 million bond following an appeal of a substantial defamation verdict, a typical individual might opt for silence. However, former President Donald Trump, known for his unconventional behavior, seems immune to such norms. His proclivity for verbally attacking adversaries might just pave the way for another lawsuit.
In January, a New York jury delivered an $83.3 million defamation verdict against Trump in the case filed by E. Jean Carroll. This followed a May 2023 trial where Trump was found civilly liable for both sexual abuse and defamation, resulting in a $5 million damages award.
Carroll’s allegations in a 2019 article, accusing Trump of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s, triggered vehement denials from Trump. His counterattacks led to defamation and a separate civil claim for the alleged rape. The ex-president’s deposition during the trial contained notable moments, including a mix-up of Carroll with his second wife, Marla Maples.
The second trial focused solely on determining damages. Carroll’s legal team highlighted Trump’s continued attacks on their client post the first verdict, emphasizing the need for substantial compensatory and punitive damages. Trump, taking the stand in his defense, faced the judge’s rebuke for disruptions, resulting in most of his comments being stricken from the record.
Posting a $91.6 million bond as he appeals the Carroll verdicts, Trump’s ongoing verbal assaults on Carroll and the judgments indicate an unwillingness to restrain himself. At a recent Georgia campaign rally, he raged about the “fake story” and the bond, while on CNBC’s Squawk Box, he repeated his earlier insults against Carroll.
Robbie Kaplan, main lawyer for Carroll, does not rule out a new defamation suit: "The statute of limitations for defamation in most jurisdictions is between one and three years. As we said after the last jury verdict, we continue to monitor every statement that Donald Trump…
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) March 11, 2024
