Trump Gets DEVASTATING ORDER in Federal Court

MeidasTouch
25 Apr 202414:54

TLDRIn a significant legal defeat, a Federal Court judge has denied Donald Trump's motion for a new trial in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case. The judge upheld the jury's previous decision awarding Carroll $17.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages. The judge highlighted the severity of Trump's conduct, noting that his actions were 'remarkably high, perhaps unprecedented,' and that he used his presidential platform to defame Carroll. The court also observed Trump's behavior during the trial, which further demonstrated his contempt for Carroll. Trump's legal team argued that the jury should have required a higher standard of proof, but the judge reaffirmed the application of New York law, which aligns with the common law malice standard. The judge's decision is a critical blow to Trump, who now faces the possibility of an appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Takeaways

  • 📜 The judge denied Donald Trump's motion for a new trial, to lower the actual damage amount, and to lower the punitive damage amount in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case.
  • 💰 E. Jean Carroll was awarded a total of $835 million in damages, including $65 million in punitive damages, for defamation committed by Donald Trump.
  • 🗣️ Trump argued that his actions did not meet the standards for punitive damages, claiming they were not outrageous, reprehensible, or willful.
  • 🎯 The judge found Trump's conduct to be of a remarkably high degree of reprehensibility, potentially unprecedented, and that the jury was entitled to this view.
  • 👥 The case involves multiple statements made by Trump, including two from the White House in 2019, which led to the defamation claim.
  • 🤔 Trump's lawyers claimed the judge applied the wrong legal standard for malice, but the judge clarified that common law malice, as per New York State's highest court, was correctly applied.
  • 🚫 The judge noted Trump's courtroom behavior, including audible complaints and walking out during the plaintiff's closing argument, as evidence of his disdain for E. Jean Carroll.
  • 📉 Trump's team attempted to argue for a higher standard of proof for punitive damages, but the judge reaffirmed the correct standard as a preponderance of the evidence.
  • 🔗 The compensatory damages awarded to Carroll were compared to similar cases and found to be appropriate, aligning with past precedents.
  • 💡 The judge's decision to uphold the jury's verdict was based on the evidence presented and the applicable law, including the definition of common law malice under New York law.
  • ⚖️ The judge's order emphasized the jury's right to establish the amount of damages and the importance of punitive damages as a deterrent for continued defamatory behavior.

Q & A

  • What was the outcome of Donald Trump's motion for a new trial in the E. Jean Carroll case?

    -The judge, Kaplan, denied Donald Trump's motion for a new trial, motion to lower the actual damage amount, motion to lower the punitive damage amount, and to render a verdict in his favor.

  • What was the total amount awarded to E. Jean Carroll in the defamation case against Donald Trump?

    -E. Jean Carroll was awarded $835 million in total, which includes both compensatory and punitive damages.

  • How did Judge Kaplan describe the degree of reprehensibility of Mr. Trump's conduct?

    -Judge Kaplan stated that the degree of reprehensibility of Mr. Trump's conduct was remarkably high, perhaps unprecedented.

  • What was the judge's observation regarding Mr. Trump's demeanor and conduct in the courtroom?

    -The judge observed that Mr. Trump's demeanor and conduct in the courtroom put his hatred and disdain for E. Jean Carroll on full display, and that he could be heard making audible comments that her testimony was false.

  • Why did the jury find it necessary to award substantial punitive damages against Mr. Trump?

    -The jury found it necessary to award substantial punitive damages because they concluded that Mr. Trump would not stop attacking E. Jean Carroll unless faced with a significant deterrent, which is the critical function of substantial punitive damages.

  • What was the judge's response to Mr. Trump's legal team arguing that a higher level of malice was required for punitive damages to be awarded?

    -The judge clarified that under New York law, common law malice is the standard required, which is a deliberate intent to injure or out of hatred, ill will, or spite, or with willful wanting or reckless disregard of another's rights.

  • What is the standard of proof required in civil court as opposed to criminal court?

    -In civil court, the standard of proof is a preponderance of the evidence, which is a lower standard than beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal court.

  • How did the judge justify the amount of compensatory damages awarded to E. Jean Carroll?

    -The judge compared the $17 million in compensatory damages awarded to E. Jean Carroll with other similar cases and found that it fell within the range of what was appropriate based on precedent.

  • What is the next step for Donald Trump in the E. Jean Carroll case?

    -Donald Trump can attempt to appeal the full decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He has already posted his bond, and there is an appeal in process.

  • What is the significance of the bond posted by Donald Trump in the context of the appeal?

    -The bond ensures that if Donald Trump loses the appeal and does not pay the judgment within 30 days, E. Jean Carroll can claim the bond money as compensation. The bond amount is updated over time to account for accrued interest.

  • What other legal matter involving Donald Trump is currently being dealt with in the courts?

    -Apart from the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, there is a $465 million civil fraud judgment against Donald Trump that is also under appeal.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Legal Defeat for Trump: No New Trial in E. Jean Carroll Defamation Case

Judge Kaplan has rejected Donald Trump's request for a new trial and to reduce the damages awarded to E. Jean Carroll in her defamation case against him. The judge's decision upholds the jury's finding of persistent defamation and the $835 million in total damages, including both compensatory and punitive damages. The case revolves around Carroll's allegations of sexual abuse by Trump in the 1990s and his subsequent defamatory statements. The judge emphasized the high degree of reprehensibility in Trump's conduct, including his use of the presidency to defame Carroll and his behavior during the trial, which the jury could have interpreted as evidence of his ill will and contempt for her. The judge also addressed Trump's legal arguments, clarifying that under New York law, the jury's decision was based on the correct standard of common law malice and the appropriate level of proof.

05:02

🌱 Lomi: The Eco-Friendly Solution for Food Waste

The script transitions to a sponsored segment promoting Lomi, a kitchen appliance that transforms food scraps into nutrient-rich plant food. It offers an innovative solution to the problem of food waste by converting it into a valuable resource for gardening. Lomi is presented as an environmentally friendly and efficient way to reduce one's carbon footprint. The device comes with a lifetime warranty and a subscription service that includes an upgrade to a new Lomi device every three years. The promotion encourages viewers to purchase Lomi as a gift for Mother's Day, using a specific promo code for a discount.

10:04

📚 Legal Analysis: Standards of Proof and Punitive Damages in Civil Cases

The third paragraph delves into the legal standards of proof in civil courts, contrasting them with the higher burden of proof in criminal courts. It explains that in civil cases, such as Carroll's, the plaintiff only needs to show that their case is slightly more likely to be true, known as the preponderance of the evidence. The judge's decision to not overturn the jury's award of $17.3 million in compensatory damages is justified by comparing it with similar cases and their outcomes. The judge also dismisses Trump's appeal for a new trial and maintains the jury's right to determine the appropriate amount of damages. The segment concludes with information on the ongoing appeal process and the potential implications for Trump's financial obligations if he loses the appeal.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Defamation

Defamation is a false statement that harms the reputation of an individual. In the context of the video, it is a legal concept where Donald Trump is accused of persistent defamation against E. Jean Carroll, which led to a jury awarding her punitive and actual damages.

💡Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded in a lawsuit to punish the person who committed the wrongdoing and to deter others from similar conduct. In this case, E. Jean Carroll was awarded $65 million in punitive damages for defamation committed by Donald Trump.

💡Actual Damages

Actual damages refer to the quantifiable monetary losses incurred due to the defendant's actions. The video mentions that Carroll was awarded $17.3 million in actual damages for the harm she suffered as a result of Trump's defamatory statements.

💡Motion for New Trial

A motion for a new trial is a request made by a party in a lawsuit to have the case retried due to various reasons such as newly discovered evidence or procedural errors. The judge in the video denied Donald Trump's motion for a new trial in the defamation case.

💡Federal Jury

A federal jury is a group of citizens selected to hear and decide a case in a federal court. In this video, a federal jury in New York found that Donald Trump had committed defamation against E. Jean Carroll.

💡Constitutional Malice

Constitutional malice is a higher standard of malice required in certain defamation cases, particularly those involving public figures. It involves knowing that a statement is false or acting with reckless disregard for the truth. The video discusses the legal debate over whether this standard should apply in the case.

💡Burden of Proof

The burden of proof is the duty of a plaintiff to prove the essential elements of their case. In civil cases, such as the one discussed in the video, the burden of proof is typically 'a preponderance of the evidence,' meaning it is more likely than not that the plaintiff's version of events is true.

💡Court of Appeals

A court of appeals is a court that reviews the decisions of lower courts to ensure justice, interpret the law, and determine if the proceedings were conducted correctly. The video mentions that Trump may appeal the decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

💡Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse refers to any unwanted sexual activity or behavior that is forced on someone. In the video, E. Jean Carroll alleges that Donald Trump forcibly and sexually abused her in the mid-1990s, which is a central issue in the defamation case.

💡Judge Kaplan

In the context of the video, Judge Kaplan is the presiding judge who made the decision on the motions filed by Donald Trump. The judge's ruling is pivotal as it determines the outcome of the legal proceedings and whether a new trial will be granted.

💡Closing Argument

A closing argument is the final statement made by each attorney summarizing the case for the jury. In the video, it is mentioned that Donald Trump walked out of the courtroom during the plaintiff's counsel's closing argument, which the judge noted as a significant action.

Highlights

Donald Trump has been denied a new trial in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case.

A jury in New York previously awarded E. Jean Carroll $835 million in total damages, including $65 million in punitive damages.

Judge Kaplan rejected Trump's motions to lower the damage amounts and to render a verdict in his favor.

The judge emphasized the jury's finding of Trump's persistent defamation and reprehensible conduct.

Trump argued that his actions were 'garden variety' and did not meet the standards for punitive damages.

The court highlighted Trump's use of the presidency to defame Carroll, potentially impacting millions of followers.

The jury could have found that Trump's continued defamation during the trial warranted significant punitive damages.

Trump's demeanor and conduct in the courtroom were cited as further evidence of his ill will towards Carroll.

Judge Kaplan noted Trump's conspicuous walkout during the plaintiff's closing argument.

The judge adopted the plaintiff's argument that the punitive damages were justified as a deterrent.

The judge clarified that under New York law, common law malice is the required standard for punitive damages.

Trump's legal team argued for a higher standard of proof, which the judge dismissed as misinterpretation of New York law.

The judge compared the awarded compensatory damages to similar cases and found the amount to be appropriate.

The judge upheld the jury's decision on the amount of damages, rejecting Trump's request for a new trial.

Trump has the option to appeal the decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.

Trump has posted a bond, which could be used to compensate Carroll if he loses the appeal and fails to pay the judgment.

The bond amount is updated over time to account for interest, ensuring that Carroll is protected if she wins the judgment.