Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been found "liable" for battery and "not liable" for rape in a civil case brought against him by columnist E. Jean Carroll.
The case was about allegations that Trump raped Carroll in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. The verdict was reached by a panel of six men and three women on Tuesday, and Carroll was awarded over $5 million.
The jury also found Trump liable for defaming Carroll. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his frustration before the verdict was announced, stating that he was "not allowed to speak or defend myself." He also vowed to appeal the "Unconstitutional silencing" of him as a candidate, "no matter the outcome!"
Carroll brought the suit forward, claiming that Trump raped her in the Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in New York in the 1990s. Trump sat for the deposition in October and denied the allegations. "It didn't happen," Trump said in a deposition tape, "and by the way, if it did happen, it would have been reported within minutes."
Trump has said that he doesn't know who Carroll is. Carroll noted that Trump raped her in the lingerie department. She has said she went into the dressing room with Trump and that Trump "pulled down her tights."
Trump posted on Truth Social shortly after the verdict, "I have absolutely no idea who this woman is. This verdict is a disgrace a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time!"
The case has been closely watched as it is one of several legal battles Trump faces. The former President has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than two dozen women, but this is the first case to reach a verdict.
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