Writer E. Jean Carroll said her stunning $83.3 million defamation lawsuit victory over Donald Trump is a “huge defeat for every bully who has tried to control a woman.”
A civil court jury found Trump liable last year for sexually assaulting Carroll in a Manhattan department store, with his comments following the decision leading to a defamation trial that concluded Friday.
Carroll initially sought just $10 million in damages, but her lawyers upped the ante on Friday when they told the jury that “all Trump cares about is money.”
After celebrating her victory, Carroll also said it was a “great victory for every woman who gets up when she’s been knocked down.”
E. Jean Carroll is seen leaving court in Manhattan on Friday after winning $83.3 million from Donald Trump
Trump is seen leaving Trump Tower on Friday to travel to the courtroom in Manhattan
Carroll made the comments two hours after the decision was handed down in a statement through her lawyers.
Her lawyer Robbie Kaplan added that the verdict “proves that the law applies to everyone in our country, even the rich, even the famous, and even former presidents.”
“There is a way to stand up to someone like Donald Trump, who cares more about wealth, fame and power than respecting the law,” he continued.
‘Standing up to a bully takes courage and courage; it takes someone like E. Jean Carroll. We thank the jury for standing up for E. Jean and the rule of law.’
The enormous damages awarded Friday came as a surprise even to Carroll, who broke down in tears and hugged her legal team as she won tens of millions more than expected.
Carroll and her attorneys Roberta Kaplan and Shawn Crowley looked at each other excitedly as the judge wondered what the “m” on the jury sheet meant.
“Million,” the foreman replied.
Carroll became tearful after the jury foreman read out the decision.
She and her legal team then settled down as the judge wrapped up the proceedings — while Trump’s legal team looked stunned and stone-faced.
Trump was already on his way to the airport when the ruling was announced, as he is about to fly to Nevada for his next campaign event in the Republican primaries – as he continues to portray the lawsuits against him, including Carroll’s, as political motivated.