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Donald Trump, the former President of the United States and Republican presidential candidate, has recently faced a setback in his legal battles. On Thursday, he lost a bid to delay paying an $83.3 million civil defamation judgment to writer E. Jean Carroll. This ruling by Manhattan federal court Judge Lewis Kaplan means that Trump must now either pay the judgment to Carroll or put up a bond or assets to cover the value of the judgment while he appeals the jury’s verdict.
The case stems from Carroll’s accusation that Trump defamed her after she accused him of rape. Trump had requested Judge Kaplan to delay the judgment until after he ruled on post-trial motions, but his request was denied. The judge pointed out that Trump had plenty of time to organize his finances since the jury verdict on January 26 but waited until the last minute to ask for a delay. Kaplan also dismissed Trump’s argument that posting a bond for the full judgment would cause him irreparable harm, stating that ongoing litigation expenses do not constitute irreparable injury.
This is not the only legal challenge Trump is facing. He has also been ordered to pay a $454 million judgment in a civil business fraud lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. While he has not yet been forced to pay that amount, he may have to do so if an appeals court refuses to stay the judgment.
In a separate trial last year, Trump was found to have sexually abused Carroll and defamed her in comments he made in 2022. He posted $5.6 million in cash as collateral while he appealed the jury verdict ordering him to pay her $5 million in damages. Both trials revolve around Carroll’s claim that Trump raped her in the mid-1990s in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan.
Trump has vehemently denied the allegations, accusing Carroll of fabricating the story to boost book sales and harm him politically. Despite his denials, the legal battles continue to mount, and the financial implications are becoming more significant.
The ruling against Trump in the Carroll case is a significant blow to his legal strategy. It underscores the seriousness of the allegations against him and the potential consequences he may face if he does not comply with court orders. The judgment also highlights the challenges Trump may encounter as he navigates multiple legal battles simultaneously.
The legal troubles facing Trump have also raised questions about his political future. As the presumptive Republican nominee for president, these legal challenges could impact his ability to campaign effectively and garner support from voters. The negative publicity surrounding the lawsuits could tarnish his reputation and weaken his chances of winning the presidency.
Overall, the ruling against Trump in the Carroll case is a significant development in his ongoing legal battles. It reflects the seriousness of the allegations against him and the potential consequences he may face if he does not comply with court orders. As Trump continues to fight these legal battles, the financial and political stakes are higher than ever, and the outcome remains uncertain.
