Judge Dismisses Donald Trump’s Defamation Counterclaim in Carroll Case

A New York judge, Lewis A. Kaplan, rejected former President Donald Trump’s counterclaim for defamation against writer E. Jean Carroll. Kaplan ruled that Carroll’s repeated allegation that Trump raped her was “substantially true,” and he detailed why the statement could be considered rape despite the narrow definition in New York penal law. The decision upholds the earlier jury finding that Trump sexually abused Carroll and effectively ends Trump’s attempt to overturn that verdict.

The Guardian

Carroll first alleged the assault in a 2019 book, describing an incident in a department-store changing room in the mid-1990s. A New York state trial later found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, imposing a $5 million judgment. The jury did not find that Trump “raped” Carroll within the technical statutory definition, but Kaplan concluded the jury’s determination of “sexual abuse” implicitly meant rape in the common understanding of the term. Trump, now facing 78 criminal indictments on unrelated matters, continues to deny the assault.

The Guardian

Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, responded with a formal objection: “We strongly disagree with the flawed decision and will be filing an appeal shortly.” — Alina Habba, a lawyer for Trump

The Guardian

The federal defamation case is scheduled for January 15, coinciding with the start of the Republican primary season and other pending lawsuits involving Trump. The trial will address the remaining federal claims, including Carroll’s request for $10 million in damages. Both legal teams have indicated they will pursue further appeals and motions as the case progresses.

The Guardian