Fact Check: "A jury found Trump liable in 2023 for battery and defamation in the 1990s."
What We Know
In May 2023, a federal jury found former President Donald Trump liable for both battery and defamation in a civil lawsuit brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. Carroll accused Trump of sexually abusing her in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. The jury's verdict came after they deliberated for approximately three hours, ultimately awarding Carroll $5 million in damages for the claims of battery and defamation (NPR).
The jury did not find Trump liable for rape, but they did determine that he "sexually abused" Carroll and defamed her by denying her allegations (Wikipedia). The case was significant as it was one of the few instances where a former president was found liable for such serious allegations in a civil court.
Analysis
The evidence presented during the trial included Carroll's testimony, where she detailed the alleged incident and its impact on her life. Jurors also heard from two friends who testified that Carroll had confided in them shortly after the incident (NPR). The jury's decision was based on the standard of "preponderance of the evidence," which is lower than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard used in criminal cases (Wikipedia).
Trump's defense team attempted to cast doubt on Carroll's credibility, questioning her memory of the exact date of the alleged incident and her decision not to report it to the police at the time. They argued that this lack of specificity made it impossible for Trump to mount a defense (NPR). However, the jury ultimately found Carroll's account more credible than the defense's arguments.
The sources used in this fact-check are credible and widely recognized. NPR is a reputable news organization known for its thorough reporting, while Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the legal proceedings and context surrounding the case (NPR, Wikipedia).
Conclusion
The claim that a jury found Trump liable in 2023 for battery and defamation in the 1990s is True. The jury's verdict was based on their assessment of the evidence presented during the trial, which included Carroll's testimony and corroborating accounts from her friends. The decision reflects the jury's belief in the credibility of Carroll's allegations against Trump.
