Despite facing nearly $90 million in civil penalties over similar denials, Donald Trump continues to deny writer E. Jean Carroll’s rape and defamation claims against him. In a recent interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee once again claimed that the judgments against him in New York are baseless and ridiculous. Trump specifically mentioned a case involving Ms. Bergdorf Goodman, a person he claims he had never met before being sued.
E. Jean Carroll first publicly accused then-President Trump of raping her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman back in the mid-1990s. She filed a lawsuit against Trump for defamation after he denied the rape claim and accused her of trying to sell books. In 2022, Carroll filed a second lawsuit against Trump for battery and defamation related to the alleged rape and a subsequent denial after he left the White House.
The legal battles between Carroll and Trump have resulted in significant financial consequences for the former president. In one case, a federal civil jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages after finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. In another case, Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million for defaming Carroll through statements he made while in office. Despite these verdicts, Trump is appealing both decisions and has posted significant bonds to secure the judgments while the appeals are ongoing.
In response to the legal challenges he is facing in New York, Trump has been vocal about his belief that the judgments against him are unfair and will drive companies away from the state. He referred to the legal proceedings as “ridiculous decisions” and claimed that they are negatively impacting the business climate in New York. Trump mentioned a civil business fraud case that resulted in $464 million in total fines and interest, further emphasizing his belief that the legal battles are detrimental to the state.
Overall, Trump’s continued denial of the rape and defamation claims against him, as well as his response to the legal judgments, reflect a pattern of deflection and denial that has characterized his approach to controversy. The ongoing legal battles with E. Jean Carroll underscore the complex and contentious nature of Trump’s relationships with women who have accused him of misconduct.
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