Fact Check: Trump owes $93 million in sexual abuse judgments

Claim Analysis: "Trump owes $93 million in sexual abuse judgments"

1. Introduction

The claim that "Trump owes $93 million in sexual abuse judgments" pertains to the legal battles involving former President Donald Trump and writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual assault. This figure appears to aggregate various judgments and potential liabilities stemming from multiple court cases. However, the details surrounding these judgments require careful examination to determine their accuracy and context.

2. What We Know

E. Jean Carroll has accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in the 1990s, leading to several legal actions against him. The most significant outcomes include:

• In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and awarded Carroll $2 million for the abuse and $20,000 in punitive damages, along with $1 million for defamation related to his public denials of the allegations 2.
• In January 2024, a federal jury ordered Trump to pay an additional $83.3 million to Carroll, which included $65 million in punitive damages, $11 million for reputational harm, and $7.3 million for other damages related to his defamation of Carroll 36.
• The total amount mentioned in the claim of $93 million appears to be a summation of these judgments, although it is essential to clarify that the $83.3 million judgment is specifically tied to the defamation case, while the earlier $2 million award relates to the sexual abuse finding.

3. Analysis

The sources cited provide a mix of legal reporting and general news coverage, which is crucial for understanding the context of the judgments against Trump.

• Source Evaluation:

  • AP News 24: Associated Press is a reputable news organization known for its journalistic standards. The articles provide detailed accounts of the jury's decisions and the amounts awarded, making them reliable for factual reporting.
  • NPR 3: NPR is also a respected news outlet, and its reporting on the case includes specific details about the jury's verdict and the rationale behind the awarded amounts, enhancing its credibility.
  • Wikipedia 15: While Wikipedia can be a useful starting point for information, it is important to note that its content can be edited by anyone and may not always reflect the most current or accurate information. The citations provided in the Wikipedia entries should be cross-referenced with primary sources for verification.
  • The Washington Informer 6: This source provides coverage of the judgment but may have a specific audience and perspective that could influence its framing of the events.
  • Justia 7: This legal resource provides court case details and is generally reliable for legal information, although it may not provide the broader context of the case.
  • The Hill 8: This source covers political news and legal developments, but it is important to consider its potential bias given its political focus.

• Methodology and Evidence: The claims about the total amount owed are based on jury verdicts, which are public records. However, the interpretation and aggregation of these amounts into a single figure should be approached cautiously. The claim's accuracy hinges on whether all components of the judgment are correctly included and whether any appeals or modifications to the judgments could affect the total.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: True

The claim that "Trump owes $93 million in sexual abuse judgments" is substantiated by the outcomes of two significant jury verdicts against him. The total amount includes a $2 million award for sexual abuse and a subsequent $83.3 million judgment for defamation, which collectively supports the assertion made in the claim.

However, it is important to note that the $93 million figure aggregates different aspects of the judgments, with the larger portion specifically related to defamation rather than sexual abuse. This distinction is crucial for understanding the context of the claim.

While the evidence from reputable sources supports the claim, there are limitations to consider. The potential for appeals or modifications to the judgments could alter the total amount owed, and ongoing legal proceedings may impact the finality of these figures.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the nuances behind legal claims, as the context and details can significantly influence the interpretation of such statements.

5. Sources

1. E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump - Wikipedia. Link
2. Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards E. Jean Carroll. AP News. Link
3. Donald Trump ordered to pay millions to E. Jean Carroll for defamation. NPR. Link
4. Judge denies Trump relief from $83.3 million defamation judgment. AP News. Link
5. Donald Trump sexual misconduct allegations - Wikipedia. Link
6. Trump ordered to pay $83.3m in sexual assault judgment. The Washington Informer. Link
7. Carroll v. Trump, No. 23-793 (2d Cir. 2024) :: Justia. Link
8. Appeals court upholds verdict in Donald Trump sexual assault case. The Hill. Link
9. Promises Made, Deception and Lies Kept! Independent. Link
10. Trump ordered to pay additional $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll in defamation case. PBS. Link