NEW YORK - Former US president Donald Trump was ordered by a Manhattan jury on Jan 26 to pay US$83.3 million (S$112 million) to writer E. Jean Carroll for defaming her in social media posts, news conferences and even in the midst of the trial ever since she first accused him in 2019 of raping her in a department store dressing room decades earlier.
Her lawyers argued that a large award is necessary to stop Trump from continuing to attack her. The award included US$65 million in punitive damages, which the ninemember jury assessed after finding that Trump, 77, acted maliciously after Ms Carroll's lawyers pointed to his persistent attacks on her, from the White House and after leaving office.
On a single day recently, he made more than 40 derisive posts about her on his Truth Social website.
Trump had already left for the day when the dollar figures were read aloud. Hearing the numbers, his lawyers slumped in their seats.
The jury was dismissed, and Ms Carroll, 80, embraced her lawyers.
Minutes later, she walked out of the courthouse arm-in-arm with her legal team, beaming for the cameras.
"This is a great victory for every woman who stands up when she's been knocked down and a huge defeat for every bully who has tried to keep a woman down," she said in a statement, thanking her lawyers effusively.
During the trial, Ms Carroll testified that Trump's repeated taunts and lashing out mobilised many of his supporters, leading to an onslaught of attacks on social media and in her e-mail inbox that frightened her and "shattered" her reputation as a well-regarded advice columnist for Elle magazine.
This story is from the January 28, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 28, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
VERDY'S APPROACH AN EYE-OPENER
Former Lions turned coaches Alam Shah and Isa inspired by stint with Japanese club
Lions' morale-boosting win comes at a price
The Lions got a much-needed morale booster ahead of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship as they beat Tokyo Verdy 2-1 on Oct 11 in the second of three friendlies against J1 League opponents in their Japan training tour.
Conditions to blame for 'ugly' draw, says Messi
Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi's return, as Brazil got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile on Oct 10.
Belgium punish Italy at set pieces in 2-2 draw
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti blamed bad luck, as Belgium bounced back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with his 10-man side in Rome on Oct 10 to boost their hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals.
CARSLEY'S MIDFIELD OVERLOAD BACKFIRES
England temp boss dismayed by mistakes as Three Lions lose to Greece for first time
Player strike in England unlikely: Sports law expert
The chorus of frustrated players and managers speaking out against football's gruelling fixture schedule continues to grow, with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate the latest to say he would support players' right to strike.
SOCCEROOS HAVE NO FEAR
They head to Japan with confidence despite never having beaten the Samurai Blue there
Toyota back in F1 with Haas tie-up
The United States-owned Haas Formula One team and Toyota announced a multi-year technical partnership on Oct 11, in a move bringing Japan's biggest carmaker back to grand prix racing for the first time since 2009.
SABALENKA TO STICK TO HER BRAVE PLAN
World No. 2 will be aggressive in Wuhan semi against Gauff; Fritz takes on Djokovic
Nadal's beauty lay in his purity as a competitor
To appreciate the retiring Rafael Nadal we can flip through record books, hunt down Uncle Toni, sift the clay for archaeological clues, speak to Roger Federer's therapist, delve into the physics of spin, but really it's best if we start with a dictionary.