Former President Donald Trump has expressed his outrage and criticized the justice system following a jury verdict in a New York lawsuit.
The verdict found him liable for sexual battery and defamation against author E.
Jean Carroll.
Trump’s lawyers have stated their intention to appeal the decision.
The jury deliberated for only three hours before reaching the verdict, holding Trump accountable for sexually abusing and defaming E.
Jean Carroll, an advice columnist.
As a result, he has been ordered to pay her $5 million in damages.
Carroll, who initially shared her story in a memoir published in 2019, stated that this victory was not just for her but for all women who have suffered because their experiences were not believed.
During the trial, Carroll testified that Trump had raped her in the dressing room of the Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York in the mid-1990s.
Although the jury rejected her claim of rape, they did find Trump responsible for battery.
Prior to the trial, Trump had referred to Carroll as a “nut job” trying to sell a book.
Trump took to social media to criticize the verdict and Carroll herself, claiming the entire situation was a scam and a disgrace.
He discredited Carroll’s background and referred to the trial as a political witch hunt.
Throughout the trial, jurors heard emotional testimony from Carroll and witnessed evidence such as the Access Hollywood tape where Trump made controversial comments about grabbing women.
Testimony from two other women who accused Trump of groping or sexually harassing them was also presented.
Although Trump did not testify in person or attend the trial, the jury was shown a deposition in which he denied any wrongdoing.
Trump’s lawyer defended the decision not to have him testify, stating that it would have turned the trial into a circus.
Most of Trump’s Republican rivals remained silent regarding the verdict, except for former Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, who condemned the behavior of many of Trump’s supporters.
He stated that the case was another example of indefensible behavior.
However, despite such controversies, Trump continues to maintain a strong position as the frontrunner among Republican candidates.
Nevertheless, it remains to be seen how this baggage will ultimately impact voters’ perception of him.
Tonight, Trump is scheduled to appear on CNN for a two-hour town hall event.
