Appeals Court Upholds E Jean Carroll Verdict Against Donald Trump

An appellate court in New York delivered a significant decision on Friday, affirming a jury’s verdict that found President Donald Trump guilty of sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll, a former columnist for Elle magazine. This ruling marks a pivotal moment in the high-profile case that has garnered extensive media attention and public interest.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, consisting of a complete panel of judges, declined Trump’s request to overturn the jury’s decision. As a result, Trump faces the prospect of taking his appeal to the Supreme Court, which remains the last avenue for legal recourse in a contentious case that began with Carroll’s startling allegations in 2019. She claimed that Trump raped her in a department store dressing room approximately three decades ago.

Trump’s Legal Arguments

In his appeal, Trump sought to challenge the evidence that Carroll’s legal team presented during the civil lawsuit. This evidence included the infamous Access Hollywood tape that surfaced during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. The tape features Trump making controversial remarks about women, which Carroll’s lawyers argued was relevant to her claims.

Judicial Dissent

Notably, two judges appointed by Trump on the appellate court dissented from the majority opinion. They expressed their willingness to grant Trump’s request for a reconsideration of the verdict. Their dissent highlighted concerns regarding the admissibility of the Access Hollywood tape, labeling it as