One conservative called the decision the result of « a decades old allegation from a crazy person. »
The nine-person jury made the decision in less than three hours, reaching a mixed verdict that did not include a rape conviction. Carroll was also awarded $5 million in total damages for her claims against Trump, with $2 million in compensatory damages for the battery claim.
The jury also determined that Trump defamed Carroll when he called her allegations a « con job » in an October 2022 Truth Social post. Closing arguments occurred Monday.
Trump issued a two-sentence, all-caps rebuttal to the conviction on his Truth Social account: « I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHO THIS WOMAN IS. THIS VERDICT IS A DISGRACE – A CONTINUATION OF THE GREATEST WITCH HUNT OF ALL TIME! »
When the verdict broke during a live Fox News segment, guest Ronna McDaniel—the chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC)—focused not on Trump being found liable but on Democrats’ policies.
« I do think the American people, though, are going to be focused on what’s happening at our southern border, what’s happening with inflation, what’s happening in their lives under the Biden administration, » McDaniel said. « That’s where I think the focus is going to continue to be for people looking at 2024 and ahead. »
GOP Senator Bill Hagerty told Fox News’ Neil Cavuto that the verdict « is just the latest act » of the « legal circus in Manhattan. »
« I don’t think this is having an impact on the American public’s viewpoint, » Hagerty said, mentioning the U.
