Former President Donald Trump must pay advice columnist E. Jean Carroll a stunning $83.3 million for defaming her in 2019, when he denied her sexual assault allegation and said "people should pay dearly for such false accusations," a federal civil court jury ruled Friday.
Carroll's lawyers had asked the anonymous nine-person jury for heavy damages against the former president, and the panel didn't disappoint: Carroll was awareded $18.3 million in compensatory damages, and $65 million in punitive damages.
Trump, who left the Manhattan courtroom before the verdict was read, fumed on social media.
"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," he wrote on Truth Social. "Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon."
