A federal judge ruled Wednesday that former President Donald Trump is liable for defamation in a second lawsuit from E. Jean Carroll.
Carroll's case will require Trump to appear at trial, currently scheduled for Jan. 15, 2024.
Federal judge rules Trump liable for defamation in 2nd E Jean Carroll case, must go to trial for damages https://t.co/pcMhrTCxII #FoxNews
— Steve McDaniel (@SteveMc10421595) September 6, 2023
"The truth or falsity of Mr Trump’s 2019 statements therefore depends — like the truth or falsity of his 2022 statement — on whether Ms Carroll lied about Mr Trump sexually assaulting her," Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote.
"The jury’s finding that she did not therefore is binding in this case and precludes Mr Trump from contesting the falsity of his 2019 statements," the judge added.
Federal judge rules Trump liable for defamation against writer E. Jean Carroll https://t.co/J3ExxXz65v
— Axios (@axios) September 7, 2023
"Those damages will be in addition to the $5 million in damages a jury ordered him to pay to Carroll after holding him liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a separate trial earlier this year," Axios reported.
"The jury did not find Trump liable for rape in the trial, though it was one of the types of battery the jurors were instructed to consider by the judge," it continued.
Trump is liable for defamation in second E. Jean Carroll case, judge rules https://t.co/sPs45NJATG
— Morning Joe (@Morning_Joe) September 7, 2023
"Trump attorney Alina Habba argued that if the appeals court rules in Trump's favor in the earlier Carroll case, it would nullify the judge's ruling," NBC News reported.
"We remain very confident that the Carroll II verdict will be overturned on appeal, which will render this decision moot. We also anticipate that the Second Circuit will stay this trial as it considers the meritorious defenses that have been raised by President Trump," Habba said in a statement.
Trump's new trial date adds to a growing list of legal events for the former president. Trial dates have also been announced in his Georgia and Washington indictments, both set for times near primary elections that many see as politically motivated.
Trump's lawyers are seeking to move the trial dates until after the 2024 election to avoid the potential conflict, hoping for a return to power in the White House after next year's election.
The odd series of events could potentially lead to Trump being involved in multiple indictments even after being elected in an unprecedented situation for an American president.
