Fact Check: "Liabilities include over $50 million in damages to E. Jean E. Carroll."
What We Know
E. Jean Carroll, an American author, has been involved in two lawsuits against Donald Trump, which have resulted in significant financial judgments against him. In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and awarded her $5 million in damages for defamation related to his denials of her allegations (Wikipedia). Additionally, in January 2024, a jury awarded Carroll an additional $83.3 million in damages for defamation stemming from Trump's statements made in 2019 (The Guardian). This brings the total damages awarded to Carroll to $88.3 million.
Recent reports have indicated that Trump's liabilities include over $50 million specifically related to these judgments against him (USA Today). This figure aligns with the total damages awarded in the lawsuits, confirming that the claim regarding liabilities exceeding $50 million is accurate.
Analysis
The claim that "liabilities include over $50 million in damages to E. Jean E. Carroll" is substantiated by the outcomes of the two lawsuits. The first case, known as Carroll I, resulted in a jury awarding Carroll $5 million for defamation after Trump denied her allegations and made derogatory statements about her character (Reuters). The second case, Carroll II, culminated in a jury awarding Carroll $83.3 million after finding Trump liable for further defamation and sexual abuse (Wikipedia).
Both lawsuits have been subject to appeals, but the substantial amounts awarded to Carroll have been upheld by courts thus far. The reliability of the sources reporting on these damages is high, as they include reputable news organizations and legal documentation. The information from Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the legal proceedings and outcomes, while Reuters and The Guardian report on the implications of these rulings and Trump's ongoing legal challenges.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "liabilities include over $50 million in damages to E. Jean E. Carroll" is accurate. The total damages awarded to Carroll from her lawsuits against Trump amount to $88.3 million, which clearly exceeds the $50 million threshold mentioned in the claim. The legal proceedings have been well-documented, and the outcomes have been upheld in court, reinforcing the validity of the claim.
