- Writer E. Jean Carroll was awarded $83.3 million by a Manhattan jury on Friday at the end of her civil defamation trial against Donald Trump
- Trump appeared to have defamed her in social media posts, press conferences and on the campaign trail since she first accused him of rape in 2019.
- She said the attack took place in the dressing room of Bergdorf Goodman department store in the late 1990s: Trump said the verdict was ‘absolutely ridiculous’
An emotional Jean Carroll broke down in tears and hugged her lawyers in court Friday as she was awarded $83.3 million in her defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump — $60 million more than she had asked for.
The 80-year-old writer held hands with her lawyers, who sat on either side of her, before the verdict was read out.
She sued Trump over his defamatory statements disparaging her and denying her rape allegations.
Meanwhile, there was no sign of Trump leaving the court around 4 p.m. as a decision was imminent.
Carroll, Roberta Kaplan and Shawn Crowley looked at each other excitedly as the judge wondered what the “m” on the jury sheet meant.
Carroll became tearful after the jury foreman read out the decision that Trump had defamed her and that she would be paid an eye-watering $83.3 million.
She and her legal team remained calm as the judge wrapped up the proceedings, while Trump’s legal team looked stunned and petrified.
E. Jean Carroll is seen leaving court in Manhattan on Friday after winning $83.3 million from Donald Trump
The famous writer hugged her lawyers as the verdict was read out
E. Jean Carroll is comforted by her lawyers as the verdict is read
Donald Trump is seen leaving court before the verdict was announced
Trump is seen leaving Trump Tower on Friday to travel to the courtroom in Manhattan
When the judge dismissed the jury, Carroll, Kaplan and Crowley jumped up and shared a warm hug to celebrate their victory.
They hugged for a few moments as they let the reality of their victory sink in before quietly leaving the courtroom.
While Trump’s lawyers, Alina Habba and Michael Madaio, quietly slunk away after the verdict.