In a defamation damages trial against former President Donald Trump, the star witness, E. Jean Carroll, concluded her testimony today. Carroll, who has accused Trump of raping her, stated that her reputation was damaged when Trump denied the allegations. In May, a federal civil jury found that Trump had sexually abused Carroll in the past. The ongoing trial aims to determine the amount of damages Trump should pay Carroll, who is seeking over $10 million.
During her testimony, Carroll mentioned that her status was diminished due to the statements made by Trump. The judge has already established the veracity of Carroll's claims, considering them to be defamatory. Trump, who faced potential removal from the courtroom due to disruptive behavior, was absent from today's proceedings as he attended his mother-in-law's funeral in Florida.
Carroll called an expert witness on damages to testify on her behalf. The crux of the trial is determining the amount Trump may need to pay Carroll to restore her reputation, based on the defamatory statements he made. The damages expert, a professor from Northwestern University, estimated that repairing Carroll's reputation could cost anywhere between $7 million and $12.1 million. These figures do not yet include potential damages for emotional or punitive reasons.
The professor, who previously testified in a similar defamation case involving Rudy Giuliani, concluded her direct testimony before the lunch break. Following the break, it will be the turn of Trump's lawyers to cross-examine the witness and challenge her findings. This witness is the second to testify, following Carroll herself, who faced cross-examination earlier in the day.
Carroll was questioned about whether she experienced any negative consequences from Trump's statements. In response, she acknowledged that she has become more well-known but also, unfortunately, has faced increased animosity from many people. After the witness expert concludes her testimony, Carroll's legal team plans to call additional witnesses. One of these witnesses is Carroll's former boss at Elle magazine, where she penned her column, 'Ask E. Jean Carroll,' for an extended period.
Moreover, there is a possibility that the trial will include playing the Access Hollywood tape, in which Trump makes controversial statements about women. The judge has allowed the consideration of this tape to enable the jury to hear Trump's remarks regarding women who have accused him of misconduct.
At some point, Trump may also take the stand in his own defense. As the trial progresses, the next steps and developments will unfold in due course.
