Fact Check: "Trump is also appealing a separate defamation award of $83 million to Carroll."
What We Know
E. Jean Carroll has been involved in two significant lawsuits against former President Donald Trump, both of which relate to allegations of sexual assault and subsequent defamation. The first lawsuit, known as Carroll I, was filed in November 2019 and resulted in a jury awarding Carroll $5 million in damages in May 2023 for defamation and sexual abuse claims. The second lawsuit, Carroll II, was filed in November 2022 and culminated in a January 2024 jury awarding Carroll an additional $83.3 million for defamation stemming from statements Trump made in 2019 while he was president (source-1, source-2). Both cases are currently under appeal, and Trump has secured a bond to cover the $83.3 million judgment while the appeal is pending (source-3).
Analysis
The claim that Trump is appealing a separate defamation award of $83 million to Carroll is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The details surrounding the lawsuits indicate that Trump has indeed filed an appeal against the $83.3 million judgment awarded in the second case, Carroll II. This appeal process is standard in legal proceedings, especially in high-stakes cases involving significant financial judgments.
The reliability of the sources reporting this information is high. Major news outlets such as Reuters and the Associated Press have covered the developments extensively, providing detailed accounts of the legal proceedings and the context of the judgments. Additionally, the information is corroborated by legal documents and statements from Trump's legal team, which confirm that a bond has been posted to facilitate the appeal process (source-1, source-3).
The context of the lawsuits further supports the claim. Carroll's allegations against Trump have been a focal point of public and legal scrutiny, and the substantial damages awarded reflect the jury's findings on the severity of Trump's actions and statements. Trump's ongoing appeals indicate his legal strategy to contest these findings and the associated financial implications.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Trump is appealing a separate defamation award of $83 million to Carroll is accurate. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that Trump has initiated an appeal against this judgment, and he has secured a bond to cover the amount while the appeal is processed.
