Trump found liable for sexual abuse

A New York jury found former US President Donald Trump liable for the sexual abuse and defamation of journalist E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s. Trump called the verdict disgraceful and a continuation of what he called the greatest witch hunt of all time.

„Donald Trump sexually abused journalist E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and then defamed her by calling her a liar, according to a jury verdict, Reuters reported, assessing that this dealt a blow to Trump's campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination.

A nine-member federal court jury in Manhattan decided after a deliberation lasting just under three hours to award $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages to Carroll.

For Trump to be found guilty, a nine-member jury consisting of six men and three women had to reach a unanimous decision.

Carroll (79) testified during a civil trial that Trump (76) raped her in the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in 1995 or 1996, and then damaged her reputation by publishing his version of those sexual offenses, which, according to her, is “a complete scam and a lie.“.

However, the jury found that Trump did not rape Carroll, but rather sexually abused her.

„According to public opinion polls, Trump is the leader in the race for the Republican presidential nomination and has shown an incredible ability to weather all controversies that would otherwise destroy most other politicians, Reuters adds.

Trump responded to the verdict by calling it shameful and assessing that such a jury decision represents the continuation of „the greatest witch hunt of all time.“.

On the social network „Truth Social,“ he said he had „absolutely no idea“ who E. Jean Carroll was.

„I have absolutely no idea who this woman is. This verdict is a disgrace – the continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time,“ Trump stated.

His spokesman Steven Cheung announced that Trump will appeal the verdict.

SOURCE: EURONEWS PHOTO: EURONEWS