The lawsuit relates to an incident that occurred in a New York department store in the 1990s, wherein Carroll alleged that Trump had raped her in a dressing room. The jury found that Trump did not commit rape, but that Carroll had proven "by a preponderence of evidence" that Trump had committed sexual battery against her, and that he had later defamed her by denying her claims. The verdict was delivered in Manhattan Federal Court.
In connection with the count of baterry, jurors ordered Trump to pay $2 million and an additional $20,000 in punititve damages. For the count of defamation, Trump was ordered to pay $2.7 million and a further $280,000 in punitive damages. The verdict does not carry criminal implications.
“I filed this lawsuit against Donald Trump to clear my name and to get my life back," Carrol said in a statement. "Today, the world finally knows the truth. This victory is not just for me but for every woman who has suffered because she was not believed."
Trump condemned the verdict on Truth Social, referring to it as "A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME".
