A federal appeals court in New York recently upheld a $5 million verdict against Trump in a high-profile sexual assault lawsuit initiated by E. Jean Carroll, a former magazine writer.
A recent decision by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals could pave the way for a review by the United States Supreme Court according to The Daily Caller. The legal dispute stems from allegations made by E. Jean Carroll, who accuses Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room back in 1996.
The case went to trial, and in May 2023, a New York jury found Trump liable for sexual battery and defamation, which had a significant public and legal repercussion.
Following the jury's decision, Trump's attorneys filed an appeal against the ruling. The appeal challenged several aspects of the trial, including the admission of the "Access Hollywood" tape, which Trump's legal team argued was prejudicial and should not have been considered in the sexual assault trial.
This Monday, the three-judge panel of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals delivered their verdict, rejecting Trump’s request for a new trial. The judges affirmed the lower court's decision, stating that Trump had failed to demonstrate any judicial error that would warrant a retrial.
The court's rejection covered various claims by Trump’s legal team, particularly their concerns about the evidentiary decisions made during the trial.
The Appeals Court noted that Trump did not prove that any alleged errors had a substantial impact on his rights, which is a necessary criterion to overturn a verdict.
In their ruling, the court stated, "On review for abuse of discretion, we conclude that Mr. Trump has not demonstrated that the district court erred in any of the challenged rulings,” emphasizing the thoroughness of their review and the insufficiency of grounds for a new trial presented by Trump’s attorneys.
Aside from the $5 million damages related to the sexual battery and defamation verdicts, Trump is also contesting an additional $83.3 million in damages. This separate but related defamation claim involving Carroll is another significant element of the ongoing legal disputes surrounding Trump.
On a somewhat related note, Trump's encounters with defamation claims extend beyond the Carroll case. Recently, Trump reached a settlement with ABC News and its anchor George Stephanopoulos.
The agreement resulted in a $15 million payout to Trump, addressing claims of defamation by the news outlet regarding its characterizations of the jury’s findings in the original trial.
These legal maneuvers occur amidst broader discussions about the role of the judiciary and media in political matters, highlighting a deeply polarized environment regarding Donald Trump’s legal and public engagements.
The Supreme Court has previously handled several cases related to Trump, including those addressing issues of presidential immunity and election-related controversies.
Trump's legal team is likely hoping for a continuation of this judicial scrutiny as they appeal the decision of the Second Circuit.
Trump's communications director, Steven Cheung, commented on the developments, stating, "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 and a swift dismissal of all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded Carroll Hoax, which will continue to be appealed.”
This statement underscores the tension between political perspectives and legal interpretations in the ongoing lawsuits involving Trump.
As the case potentially progresses to the Supreme Court, the intersection of law, politics, and public opinion is poised to become even more pronounced.