Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, is potentially facing a third defamation lawsuit following his recent remarks about E. Jean Carroll during a press conference held on January 17. This development comes after Newsweek reported that Carroll’s legal team obtained a transcript of the event, where Trump reiterated claims that Carroll fabricated allegations of sexual assault against him dating back to the 1990s.
Trump has previously faced legal repercussions for similar statements, having been held liable for sexual assault and twice for defamation due to statements identical to those he repeated last week. Bryan M. Sullivan, an attorney currently representing Hunter Biden, shared insights with Newsweek about the possible implications of this new development.
He suggested that a third defamation case is not only likely but could also result in significantly higher damages compared to the previous cases. According to Sullivan, the precedent set by the first two cases strengthens the possibility of increased damages in a potential third lawsuit.
The ramifications of such a lawsuit could extend beyond financial consequences for Trump. Sullivan mentioned the possibility of the court issuing an injunction to prevent Trump from speaking further about these claims. Such an injunction, if violated, could lead to contempt proceedings against Trump.
In the previous legal confrontations, Trump was ordered to pay $5 million in damages after being found liable for assault and defamation. Currently, another ongoing trial has also found him liable for defamation, with a jury deliberating on the amount of damages he should be responsible for. Carroll has reportedly requested $10 million in damages, and an expert witness has suggested that the amount should exceed this figure.
During the aforementioned press conference, Trump vehemently denied knowing Carroll, describing the allegations as a “rigged deal” and a “fabricated story.” He emphasized his lack of familiarity with Carroll before the allegations and dismissed the accusations as election interference.
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s lawyer, has indicated plans to use Trump’s recent statements as evidence in ongoing legal proceedings. However, it remains unclear whether she will pursue a third defamation claim.
In a recent court filing, Kaplan revealed the prompt action taken by her team in response to Trump’s press conference. They prepared and submitted a video and transcript of the relevant portions of the event to the defendant’s counsel, showcasing their readiness to incorporate these new statements into their legal strategy.