The Truth Behind Trump’s Defamation Scandal discusses about the timeline when this legal journey started.
After accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault, veteran advice writer E. Jean Carroll was thrown into a chaotic court dispute. Over the course of several years, this extensive story has seen several turning points that have influenced Carroll’s pursuit of justice against one of the most powerful people on the planet. Now let’s examine this intricate legal journey’s precise timeline.
When it All Started
Carroll’s lawsuit stems from a meeting that occurred in 1996. She alleges that at the opulent Bergdorf Goodman department shop in midtown Manhattan, Trump sexually abused her. Carroll was a well-known advice columnist at that point in time at “Elle” magazine.
Carroll Steps Forward
On June 21, 2019, a portion from Carroll’s book, “What Do We Need Men For?,” was published by New York magazine, bringing her charges to the attention of the public. Carroll’s account gained national attention after the shocking headline, “Hideous Men: Donald Trump assaulted me in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room 23 years ago,” was published. Trump quickly refuted the claims, branding them as a publicity stunt for her upcoming book.
Trump repeated his denial on the White House South Lawn the next day, saying he had never met Carroll. But a picture that surfaced of the two of them together in the 1980s disproved what he had said.
Carroll chose an alternative course of action because to the limitations imposed by the law of limitations surrounding the alleged attack. She launched a slander lawsuit against Trump on November 4, 2019. The lawsuit claimed that Trump harmed the woman’s reputation by attacking her written denial and remarks made on the White House South Lawn.
Actions of the Justice Department In
Nearly a year later, September 2020, the Justice Department under Trump got involved and tried to use the Westfall Act to replace Trump as the defendant. By claiming that Trump’s comments were made in the course of his presidential duties, this step was intended to protect him. This attempt was denied by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, sparking a long legal dispute.
Carroll Files Another Suit in November 2022
The Adult Survivors Act, passed by New York, revives claims for sexual misconduct that had previously expired. Carroll took advantage of the situation and filed a second lawsuit against Trump on November 24, 2022. She requested compensation for the claimed attack this time around and included a fresh accusation of defamation in light of Trump’s October 2022 denial.
Trump Held Responsible by Jury
Following a series of court challenges, Carroll’s second lawsuit against Trump was brought to trial. A federal jury in New York found Trump guilty of slander and sexual abuse on May 9, 2023. Carroll won a big battle when he was given a $5 million damages award.
However, tensions started to increased after that. Carroll included Trump’s remarks in her initial defamation complaint when he denied her version of events yet again.The Justice Department’s long legal battle came to an end in July 2023. Trump was left vulnerable when the Justice Department withdrew from the investigation.
Judging from the prior jury’s verdict, Judge Kaplan decided on September 8, 2023, that Trump was legally liable for defamation. Carroll gained some ground as a result, but the question of damages would need to be decided by another jury.
In a desperate attempt to claim immunity, Trump tried to avoid going to trial. Although Kaplan dismissed this argument, Trump’s appeal was accepted by an appeals court. Trial by jury was ordered when the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals confirmed Kaplan’s decision on December 13, 2023.
$83.3 million verdict
A second jury found on January 26, 2024, that Trump owed Carroll $83.3 million for defaming her in June 2019. In contrast to the previous trial, Trump took an active role in the proceedings, attending a large portion of them and even taking the stand to defend himself. Carroll’s legal victory gained additional significance from the jury’s decision.
This detailed timeline captures E. Jean Carroll’s constant search for justice and highlights the difficulties that come when people take on strong personalities in the sake of responsibility.
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