Federal judge rejects Donald Trump’s bid for new E. Jean Carroll defamation trial, upholds $83M judgment

(NEW YORK) — A federal judge in New York on Thursday rejected former President Donald Trump’s bid for a new trial in a defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. The ruling upheld the jury’s $83.3 million damage award.

“Contrary to the defendant’s arguments, Ms. Carroll’s compensatory damages were not awarded solely for her emotional distress; they were not for garden variety harms; and they were not excessive,” Judge Lewis Kaplan wrote.

“Mr. Trump’s malicious and unceasing attacks on Ms. Carroll were disseminated to more than 100 million people,” he added. “They included public threats and personal attacks, and they endangered Ms. Carroll’s health and safety.”

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