Jury finds Trump sexually abused writer in NY department store
In a landmark civil case, a jury has found former US President Donald Trump responsible for sexually abusing a magazine columnist during an incident at a New York department store in the 1990s. However, the jury did not hold him liable for the rape allegations made by E Jean Carroll, the columnist, in the dressing room of Bergdorf Goodman.
This verdict marks the first time that Trump has been legally held accountable for a sexual assault. The jury, consisting of six men and three women, deliberated for less than three hours before reaching their decision on Tuesday.
In addition to finding him liable for defamation, as Trump had called the writer’s accusations a “hoax and a lie,” the jury awarded E Jean. Carroll approximately $5 million (£4 million) in damages. The jury’s decision brings validation to Carroll, who stated in a written statement following the verdict that this victory is not only for herself but also for every woman who has faced disbelief when sharing their experiences.
Trump’s attorney has announced plans to appeal against the decision. As the trial was held in civil court rather than criminal court, he will not be required to register as a sex offender.
Throughout the two-week trial in Manhattan federal court, the former president, who has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations, did not make an appearance. However, following the verdict, he took to his newly established social media platform, Truth Social, expressing his disbelief and referring to the decision as a continuation of the “greatest witch hunt of all time.