Fact Check: "Trump was found liable for rape in a civil case."
What We Know
On May 9, 2023, a jury found former President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll, a writer and advice columnist, in a civil case stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred in 1996. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages for both sexual abuse and defamation related to Trump's public denials of her claims (AP News). However, the jury did not find Trump liable for rape, which is a crucial distinction in this case. The jury's verdict indicated that while they found Trump responsible for a lesser degree of sexual abuse, they did not meet the legal threshold for rape as defined under New York law at that time (NPR).
The case has been significant in the context of ongoing discussions about sexual misconduct and accountability, particularly involving high-profile figures. Carroll's allegations were initially made public in a 2019 memoir, and she has since been vocal about her experiences, asserting that her claims were dismissed and ridiculed for years (Wikipedia).
Analysis
The claim that Trump was found liable for rape is partially true. While the jury did find him liable for sexual abuse, they specifically rejected the rape claim, which is a critical point. The legal definition of rape in New York requires a specific standard of proof that the jury did not find met in this case. Instead, they determined that Trump's actions constituted sexual abuse, which can include a range of non-consensual sexual acts but does not necessarily imply penetration as defined legally (Washington Post).
Furthermore, the jury's decision has been interpreted in various ways. Judge Lewis Kaplan clarified that the conduct the jury found Trump liable for—specifically, forced digital penetration—could meet a broader, common understanding of rape, even if it did not satisfy the legal definition used in the case (Washington Post). This nuance has led to some confusion and differing interpretations in public discourse.
The sources reporting on this case vary in their framing. For example, while some outlets emphasize the jury's finding of liability for sexual abuse, others have inaccurately reported it as a finding of rape (ABC News). This discrepancy highlights the importance of careful language when discussing legal outcomes, as the implications can significantly affect public perception.
Conclusion
The verdict that Trump was found liable for sexual abuse is accurate, but the claim that he was found liable for rape is misleading. The jury specifically rejected the rape allegation, which is a significant aspect of the case. Therefore, the overall verdict is Partially True: Trump was found liable for sexual abuse, but not for rape as the term is legally defined.
Sources
- Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards E. Jean ...
- E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump
- Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse in E. Jean Carroll's ...
- Judge clarifies: Yes, Trump was found to have raped E. ...
- Trump loses appeal of E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse verdict
- Trump loses defamation liability appeal in E Jean Carroll ...
- Court strikes down Trump's appeal in Carroll sexual abuse case
- Carroll v. Trump, No. 23-793 (2d Cir. 2024)