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Former President Trump is fighting back against a recent jury verdict which found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll. In a move that should resonate with his conservative base, Trump’s legal team filed an appeal with the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday. The decision to contest the verdict comes as no surprise, given that his lawyers had previously indicated their intention to do so. It’s clear that Trump is unwilling to let this matter rest.
The nine-member jury responsible for the verdict sided with Carroll in her lawsuit and ordered Trump to pay her $5 million in damages. This occurred on Tuesday, and now Trump is seeking to overturn the decision. In continuing to fight these charges, Trump is standing up for himself against what he may see as an unfounded attack.
Carroll had accused the former president of raping her at a New York department store during the mid-1990s. Additionally, she claimed Trump defamed her by denying her allegations. The lawsuit against Trump was filed in November, making use of a newly effective New York law that allows sexual battery survivors to seek civil damages for a one-year window, regardless of whether the statute of limitations has passed.
The jurors in this case, situated in Manhattan’s federal court, ultimately decided that Trump was not responsible for rape. However, they agreed that he more than likely committed sexual abuse, which is another way to establish sexual battery. This means that while they didn’t believe an actual rape took place, they did find the former president guilty of other forms of inappropriate behavior.
In addition to the sexual abuse charges, Carroll also sued Trump for defamation due to a statement he made in October 2022. In that statement, Trump referred to her story as a ‘complete con job’ and claimed that Carroll ‘is not my type.’ It appears that the jury believed this remark constituted defamation and took it into account when determining the verdict.
Despite being found liable for defamation, Trump maintained his innocence during a CNN town hall on Wednesday evening. He insisted that Carroll’s claims were fabricated, saying, ‘This woman, I don’t know her. I never met her. I have no idea who she is.’ He also referred to her as a ‘whack job,’ further dismissing her allegations.
Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, has reportedly considered filing another lawsuit based on Trump’s recent comments. Speaking with The New York Times, Kaplan acknowledged that ‘Everything’s on the table, obviously, and we have to give serious consideration to it.’ She added that they would decide whether to pursue additional legal action within the next day or so.
It’s worth noting that Carroll already sued Trump for defamation in a separate case. This lawsuit was also in response to Trump’s initial denials when the writer came forward with her allegations in 2019. However, this case has encountered delays due to disputes over Trump’s immunity, since those statements were made while he was in office.
These ongoing legal battles could be seen by some conservatives as further evidence of a systematic attack against Trump. They may argue that the left and mainstream media are simply trying to bring the former president down, regardless of the facts at hand.
On the other hand, some might say that Trump’s apparent refusal to accept the jury’s decision demonstrates a lack of accountability. Critics could argue that a more responsible course of action would be to acknowledge the verdict and seek resolution, rather than continue to fight it.
However, it’s important to remember that an appeal is a completely valid legal option, and Trump has every right to contest the verdict if he believes it was decided unfairly or on faulty grounds. After all, he has consistently maintained his innocence throughout this entire ordeal, and his decision to appeal reflects that.
It remains to be seen what will come of Trump’s ongoing legal battles, and how his conservative base will respond to these developments. It seems likely that many of Trump’s supporters will continue to stand by him, even in the face of these allegations.
Moreover, Trump’s persistent fight against these charges could help to solidify his image as a strong and determined figure in the eyes of conservative Americans. This may appeal to those who value perseverance and grit in their leaders, attributes that Trump has certainly demonstrated throughout his presidency and beyond.
Only time will tell how this appeal and any subsequent legal actions play out. As the story unfolds, it’s important for those in the conservative demographic to consider both the facts of the case and their own beliefs about Trump’s guilt or innocence.
Ultimately, the former president’s ongoing legal battles continue to fuel fierce debates and discussions amongst supporters and critics alike. Whatever the outcome of his appeal, it’s safe to say that this case will remain a hot topic of conversation for the foreseeable future.