Judge upholds E. Jean Carroll verdict, denies Trump new trial in scathing rebuke

New York, New York - The judge presiding over E. Jean Carroll's defamation trial against Donald Trump has ruled to uphold his verdict, denying the former president his request for a new trial.

On Thursday, a judge ruled to uphold the verdict in E. Jean Carroll's defamation trial against Donald Trump, and denied a request for a re-trial.
On Thursday, a judge ruled to uphold the verdict in E. Jean Carroll's defamation trial against Donald Trump, and denied a request for a re-trial.  © Collage: Dimitrios Kambouris / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP & Nicholas Kamm / AFP

On Thursday, Judge Lewis Kaplan issued an opinion noting that Trump's arguments in favor of a retrial are "entirely without merit both as a matter of law and as a matter of fact."

"Mr. Trump's malicious and unceasing attacks on Ms. Carroll were disseminated to more than 100 million people," Judge Kaplan explained. "They included public threats and personal attacks, and they endangered Ms. Carroll's health and safety."

The judge went on to slam Trump for his "demeanor and conduct" while in court, stating the former president "put his hatred and disdain on full display."

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"The jury was entitled to find that 'the degree of reprehensibility' of Mr. Trump's conduct was remarkably high, perhaps unprecedented," Judge Kaplan wrote, adding that Trump "castigated" Carroll from the "loudest 'bully pulpit' in America, and possibly the world."

E. Jean Carroll's team reacts to the judge's decision

Last month, Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million to compensate Carroll after he was found civilly liable for defaming her.

It was the second case Carroll won against him, as he was also ordered to pay her $5 million last year in a separate trial after a jury found him liable for sexually assaulting her 25 years ago.

In response to the recent ruling, Carroll's attorney, Robbie Kaplan, said they were "pleased with, though not surprised" by the ruling, and reiterated the judge's criticisms about Trump's court conduct.

Trump is soon expected to again appeal the decision, this time to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals.

Cover photo: Collage: Dimitrios Kambouris / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP & Nicholas Kamm / AFP

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