Elle columnist claims $10 million in damages from Trump for defaming her

Donald Trump: In the first week of May 2023, a nine-member jury awarded $5 million (approximately INR 400 crores) as damages to E Jean Caroll, a columnist at Elle. She had accused former President Trump of raping her in an upmarket store in Manhattan in 1996. The jury also found Trump of defaming Caroll in 2019 by saying that she was levelling these allegations for promoting her book. Trump had also said that Caroll’s charges were backed by certain political forces which wanted to finish his career.

On Monday, May 22 2023, Caroll filed another suit charging Trump of defaming her yet again just a day after the jury delivered its judgment. In this fresh suit, Caroll, 79, has demanded $10 million as compensation from the former President. She says this penalty will not only punish Trump but also deter him and others from tarnishing other people’s reputations.

While awarding $5 million in damages to the columnist, the jury didn’t find any evidence that Trump had indeed raped her. However, they found enough proof that he had sexually abused Caroll in a Manhattan store.

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Rape versus sexual assault

Various states define these two crimes differently. Generally, rape is forceful penetration – vaginal, oral or anal. Sexual abuse includes contact that is of sexual nature. For example, touching or fondling someone against their will can be called as sexual abuse. Furthermore, both these crimes have different punishments.

‘Early settlement of the issue’

Ms Caroll wants the court to dispose of her latest suit immediately. Her lawyer told the court that Caroll was 79 and has a feeble body. This case also needs to be settled quickly before Trump’s time is consumed by next year’s Presidential elections. As pointed out on various news websites, Trump will stand for the 2024 Presidential polls.

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