In a significant legal blow to former U.S. President Donald Trump, a Federal Appeals Court has upheld a $5 million fine in a sexual harassment and defamation case involving journalist and writer E. Jean Carroll. The court’s decision solidifies a jury’s ruling from last year, which found Trump guilty of sexually harassing Carroll in a Manhattan department store in 1996.
The New York jury awarded Carroll $2 million for the sexual harassment claim and $3 million for defamation. Trump, who has denied the allegations, appealed the decision, but his appeal was rejected by the Federal Appeals Court. In a separate case, the court had previously ordered Trump to pay Carroll an additional $83 million.
The ruling marks a major setback for Trump, further entrenching his legal battles over allegations of sexual misconduct. Despite his denials, the case has significantly impacted his public image and finances.
Meanwhile, another legal case involving Trump has resulted in a costly settlement for a U.S. news channel. ABC News has agreed to pay $15 million to settle a defamation lawsuit filed by Trump’s Presidential Library. The lawsuit stemmed from comments made by ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos during a live broadcast in March, in which he alleged that Trump was “responsible for rape.”
As part of the settlement, ABC News will donate $15 million to Trump’s Presidential Foundation and Museum. The network and Stephanopoulos will also issue a public apology for their “regrettable statements” about Trump. In addition, ABC News has agreed to pay $1 million in legal fees to Trump’s legal team.
The controversy began during a live interview with U.S. Representative Nancy Mace, when Stephanopoulos mentioned that Trump had been found civilly liable for the rape of E. Jean Carroll. However, no such judicial decision had been issued under New York law, leading to the defamation lawsuit.
An ABC News spokesperson, Jenny Kadis, confirmed the settlement, stating, “We are pleased that both parties have reached an agreement to dismiss the lawsuit.” The case highlights the significant financial and reputational risks that media organizations face when making potentially defamatory statements about public figures, especially on sensitive issues such as sexual misconduct.
The legal setbacks continue to plague Trump, with both the sexual harassment case and the defamation lawsuit with ABC News underscoring the high stakes involved in his ongoing legal challenges.
