Former President Donald Trump responded to Friday’s verdict in his E. Jean Carroll defamation case, vowing to appeal after he was ordered to pay $83.3 million in damages.
Trump wrote on Truth Social:
“Absolutely ridiculous!”
“I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party. Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon.”
“They have taken away all First Amendment Rights,” he continued. “THIS IS NOT AMERICA!”
Trump was ordered to pay the following:
$65 million in punitive damages
$11 in reputational damages
$7.3 million in emotional damages
The former president’s lawyer, Alina Habba, also denounced the verdict as she left court, the New York Post reported.
“Don’t get it twisted — we’re seeing a violation of our justice system, ladies and gentlemen,” she told reporters.
Watch
JUST IN: Donald Trump's lawyer Alina Habba goes off in fiery statement after Trump was ordered to pay E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 26, 2024
🔥🔥
Habba quickly shot back at a journalist who asked if she regrets her decision to represent Trump.
"No, I'm not having any second thoughts… pic.twitter.com/sNuLAol7tP
Habba claimed Judge Lewis Kaplan decided before the trial commenced that every single defense President Trump had, we were not allowed to raise in front of the jury.”
In May, E. Jean Carroll was awarded $5 million after a jury found Trump liable for sexually assaulting her.
According to court records, he “forcibly and without consent” penetrated Carroll using his fingers. However, Trump was cleared of Carroll’s claim that he raped her.
Trump immediately dismissed her claims as a “hoax,” calling her a “whack job.”
“I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party. Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon.”
