In a stunning turn of events, a federal judge has ordered former President Donald Trump to pay a staggering $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll by Monday or post bond, according to a recent court filing.
This ruling comes in the wake of a federal jury’s decision in January that found Trump liable for damages after he denied Carroll’s allegations of rape from the 1990s.
The case, which many believe to be politically motivated and timed to coincide with Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives who view it as a blatant attempt to undermine the former president’s reputation and electoral prospects.
🚨BREAKING: Trump's lawyers are filing two motions seeking a new trial in the E. Jean Carroll case.
Do you support this? pic.twitter.com/qV0zINlfdA
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) March 6, 2024
As Trump himself stated on his Truth Social platform, “Absolutely ridiculous! I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party.”
The jury’s verdict, which awarded Carroll $18.3 million in compensatory damages and a whopping $65 million in punitive damages, has been met with skepticism from those who believe that the legal system is being weaponized against Trump and the Republican Party.
As the former president pointed out, “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights.”
Despite Trump’s appeal of the decision, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan has demanded that the former president pay the damages by Monday, stating that “Mr. Trump’s current situation is a result of his own dilatory actions.”
The judge went on to criticize Trump for waiting “25 days after the jury verdict” to organize his finances, despite knowing that he might need to bond the judgment.
Conservatives have been quick to point out the apparent unfairness of the judge’s ruling, arguing that Trump should be given ample time to prepare his defense and appeal the decision.
NEW: Judge Kaplan has denied former President Trump’s motion for three extra days to post bond in E. Jean Carroll’s defamation case, saying “Mr Trump’s current situation is a result of his own dilatory actions.” pic.twitter.com/UZxg0lHIyU
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) March 8, 2024
Many believe that if Trump were not running for president in 2024, these cases against him would not exist, and that the legal system is being used as a tool to undermine his candidacy.
Trump’s lawyers have filed motions for a new trial, arguing that the court limited the former president’s testimony during the initial trial, which they believe influenced the jury’s verdict.
They maintain that Trump’s statements about Carroll were made in an effort to “defend his reputation, protect his family, and defend his Presidency.”
This case is not the first time Trump has faced legal action from Carroll.
In a separate trial last year, a federal jury in New York City found Trump not liable for rape but liable for sexual abuse and defamation, ordering him to pay $5 million in damages.
Carroll, who alleged that Trump raped her at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in 1996, had sought $12 million in the current case.
As the 2024 GOP front-runner, Trump has repeatedly and vehemently denied the allegations, claiming that the legal system is being used as a political weapon against him and the Republican Party.
Many conservatives share this sentiment, viewing the case as a politically motivated attack designed to derail Trump’s presidential aspirations.
