Trial jury rules for E. Jean Carroll, finds Donald Trump liable, hits him with major damages
The verdict is in: the jury has found Donald Trump liable for sexual battery and defamation against E. Jean Carroll, and has awarded Carroll a total of $5 million dollars in damages.
Keep in mind that this was a civil trial, which by definition doesn’t involve any criminal charges or criminal penalties. The most this jury could do was find Trump liable and hit him with serious financial damages, which is exactly what it did. Also keep in mind that because of the way New York State law is written, Carroll was technically suing Trump for sexual battery, not rape.
That said, this verdict ensures that the court of public opinion will now forever see Donald Trump as a rapist. Carroll wanted Trump to be seen this way, she went to great lengths and sacrifice to make it happen. Even if Trump manages to delay the payout with an appeal, Carroll has still gotten what she was seeking.
While this was a civil trial involving damages, keep in mind that Donald Trump is now about to face (at least) three criminal trials before the election. He’s been indicted for thirty-four felonies in Manhattan. He’s about to be indicted for election fraud and more in Georgia. And DOJ special counsel Jack Smith is set to indict Trump in relation to January 6th and his classified documents scandal. So Trump’s prison sentences are coming.
But today is about E. Jean Carroll. Today is a total vindication for her. It’s an ugly, ugly loss for Donald Trump. And while his base’s view of him may not change, what matters is how the average mainstream American in the middle sees these kinds of things. They’re going to see this trial verdict and likely conclude that Trump is a rapist.
