E. Jean Carroll, after winning a significant defamation award against Donald Trump, humorously detailed her plans for the $83.3 million she is set to receive, during an interview with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. Her light-hearted remarks about a shopping spree and getting new wardrobes and shoes, including a penthouse for Maddow, were taken as a joke by her lawyer, Shawn Crowley, who laughed nervously beside her.
Trump, the GOP presidential front-runner, has strongly objected to the award, vowing to appeal against the decision which he labeled as ‘absurd’. He criticized the judgment as a violation of First Amendment Rights on his Truth Social account, exclaiming, “THIS IS NOT AMERICA!”
During the MSNBC appearance with her lawyers Roberta Kaplan and Shawn Crowley, Carroll jokingly suggested a lavish spending spree. The conversation elicited varied reactions, with some Trump supporters criticizing Carroll’s demeanor, arguing that genuine victims of assault do not joke about their experiences.
The legal victory for Carroll came after a Manhattan jury found that Trump had defamed the former Elle Magazine columnist by calling her a “whack job” with a “made up story,” in response to her accusation of sexual assault in a department store dressing room in 1996. The jury concluded that Trump’s public denials of Carroll’s allegations, including calling them ‘fiction’, were motivated by “hatred, ill will, or spite.” Consequently, they ordered Trump to pay millions for emotional harm, reputational damages, and punitive damages to Carroll.
Carroll, in a subsequent interview with ABC’s Good Morning America, mentioned she intended to spend the money in ways that Trump would hate, hinting at the creation of a fund for women allegedly assaulted by Trump.
During the trial, Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba faced her own challenges, including a clash with the presiding judge, Lewis Kaplan. Habba pointed out what she saw as a conflict of interest, given Kaplan’s past association with Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan (no relation).
Trump’s financial capabilities to pay the damages were noted, with reports of him having access to a significant amount of cash or cash equivalents. However, a pending civil business fraud trial could impact his financial situation, with a potential penalty of $370 million being discussed.
Carroll, 80, expressed strong admiration for her legal team, highlighting the significance of their victory and its implications for future legal proceedings and women’s rights.