Full Breakdown
Jury Awards $83.3 Million in Defamation Verdict Against Former President Donald Trump
5/30/2026, 4:37:46 AM
Defamation Verdict and Punitive Damages
A New York jury found former President Donald Trump liable for defamation after repeatedly denying E. Jean Carroll’s 1996 sexual-assault allegation. The verdict totals $83.3 million: $7.3 million for emotional distress, $11 million for reputational harm, and $65 million in punitive damages. The award follows a separate $5 million judgment for sexual abuse.
Legal Background and Recent Law Change
Carroll’s 2019 libel suit stalled because the statute of limitations barred civil actions for the alleged assault. In 2022, New York amended its law to permit survivors to sue for historic sexual-abuse claims, allowing Carroll to file a fresh suit that proceeded to trial in 2023.
Timeline of Key Developments
- 1996 – Carroll alleges assault in a Manhattan department store.
- June 2019 – Excerpts of Carroll’s memoir published; Trump issues public denials.
- 2022 – New York law change; Carroll files fresh sexual-abuse claim.
- 2023 – Jury awards $5 million for sexual-abuse claim.
- May 2024 – Jury returns $83.3 million defamation verdict.
Official Statements & Responses
U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros confirmed the Justice Department has never opened a criminal investigation into Carroll. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused herself for having previously represented Trump. Judge Lewis Kaplan permitted the trial and barred questions about Hoffman’s nonprofit funding. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found no evidence Carroll misrepresented her legal-fee sources.
Criticism & Opposition
Trump’s counsel labeled the verdict a “witch hunt,” asserting the former president’s statements were protected political speech. Trump himself called the judgment “ridiculous.” Critics of the Justice Department’s probe argue the inquiry is politically motivated, noting the agency’s recent focus on cases involving Trump’s personal adversaries.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Early media reports claimed the Justice Department was investigating Carroll for perjury; the department later denied any criminal probe of her. Coverage shifted from alleged false testimony to scrutiny of the nonprofit that funded her litigation. The appeals court’s finding that Carroll did not conceal funding contradicts earlier accusations by Alina Habba that her team “conspired to conceal the truth for nearly six months.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “I've never met this person in my life. She is trying to sell a new book — that should be sold in the fiction section,” — Donald Trump, 2019 statement
- “Number one, she's not my type. Number two, it never happened,” — Donald Trump, 2019 statement
- “I just wanted to defend myself, my family and, frankly, the presidency.” — Donald Trump, 2024 trial testimony
- “Habba said in court at the time that Carroll’s team “conspired to conceal the truth for nearly six months.” — Alina Habba, Trump’s attorney, courtroom remark
- “Trump’s newest accusation of me is absurdly false,” — Reid Hoffman, X post
What’s Next
Trump’s lawyers have appealed both the $5 million and $83.3 million judgments; the Supreme Court has deferred review multiple times. The Justice Department’s investigation into Hoffman’s nonprofit remains ongoing, with no charges filed against Carroll or Hoffman to date.
