Trump Now Held Accountable in Sexual Assault Case Without Immune • Franknez.com

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On September 6, 2025, a federal appeals court delivered a significant blow to President Donald Trump, upholding an $83.3 million defamation verdict awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll for statements Trump made denying her sexual assault allegations.

The unanimous ruling by a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, reported by The Daily Beast, rejected Trump’s arguments that the January 2024 jury award was excessive and tainted by improper evidence.

The decision, which follows a separate $5 million verdict for sexual assault and defamation, intensifies Trump’s legal and political challenges as his administration grapples with economic woes and controversies like the Epstein files ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Details of the Court Ruling

The 2nd Circuit panel affirmed the $83.3 million verdict, stating, “The jury’s duly rendered damages awards were reasonable in light of the extraordinary and egregious facts of this case.”

Carroll, now 81, accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in Manhattan around 1996 and defaming her in June 2019 and October 2022 Truth Social posts, where he called her allegations a “hoax” and said she was “not my type” to promote her memoir.

The $83.3 million award includes $18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages, reflecting the jury’s finding that Trump’s statements caused Carroll significant reputational harm, per MSN.

Trump’s legal team argued that the verdict was inflated due to biased testimony and improper evidence, including references to his comments about other women, but the court found no reversible error.

The ruling follows a December 2024 decision by the same court upholding a $5 million verdict from May 2023 for sexual assault and defamation related to Trump’s 2022 denial.

Trump is seeking to overturn both verdicts, with oral arguments for the $83.3 million case scheduled for September 24, 2025, and a potential appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court looming.

Trump’s Defense and Political Fallout

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Trump’s legal team claimed the case was a “miscarriage of justice” driven by political motives, with a spokesperson stating, “Americans demand an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and a swift dismissal of all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded Carroll Hoax.”

Trump also argued that presidential immunity should shield him, citing the Supreme Court’s July 2025 ruling in Trump v. United States, but Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, countered that Trump’s defamatory statements were “quintessentially personal conduct” unrelated to his presidential duties, per Law and Crime.

The court rejected the immunity claim, affirming that presidents are not above the law.

The ruling has drawn attention amid Trump’s broader legal battles.

A dissenting opinion by Trump-appointed Judges Steven Menashi and Michael Park argued that the trial improperly allowed “stale” testimony and questioned whether Trump acted with malice.

However, Carroll’s lawyer expressed satisfaction, stating, “Although President Trump continues to try every possible maneuver to challenge the findings of two separate juries, those efforts have failed,” per NBC News.

What Happens Moving Forward?

The verdict exacerbates Trump’s challenges, with his approval rating at 39% amid economic struggles, including a 1.2% GDP growth rate, 73,000 jobs added in July, and 2.8% inflation.

Other controversies, such as the Epstein files, a potential government shutdown over a $4.95 billion pocket rescission, and the Pentagon’s rebranding as the “Department of War,” further strain his administration.

The upheld $83.3 million verdict, combined with the earlier $5 million judgment, represents a significant financial and political setback for Trump, reinforcing Carroll’s allegations and undermining his narrative of a “rigged” justice system.

As the 2026 midterms approach, the ruling could embolden critics and alienate voters, with GOP figures like Rep. Thomas Massie already challenging Trump on other fronts.

The ongoing legal battles, including a potential Supreme Court appeal, will likely keep the issue in the spotlight, shaping public perception and GOP dynamics.

Also Read: GOP Members Now Believe Trump Is Named First In The Epstein Files

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