Trump appeals $83.3m defamation verdict in E Jean Carroll case, obtains $91.63m bond

Former US President Donald Trump has challenged the $83.3 million defamation verdict of E Jean Carroll case by filing an appeal with the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, Reuters reported. 

Carroll accused Trump of branding her a liar after alleging he raped her decades ago, leading to the jury's decision on January 26.

Trump obtained a $91.63 million bond from Federal Insurance Co to support the appeal that revolves around the Manhattan jury's finding in June 2019 that Trump defamed Carroll by denying her rape accusation from the mid-1990s.

Carroll was granted $18.3 million by the jury in compensatory damages, including $11 million for harm to her reputation and $7.3 million for emotional harm, along with $65 million in punitive damages. Trump argues that he should either owe nothing or that the awarded sums should be significantly reduced.

In addition to this case, Trump is facing a $454.2 million verdict in a civil fraud case, offering a $100 million bond, which New York Attorney General Letitia James insists should cover the entire judgment.

US District Judge Lewis Kaplan, overseeing Carroll's trial, has yet to rule on Trump's motions for a new trial and a reduction in damages. 

Trump's legal team contends that Kaplan's decision to exclude Trump's testimony on his state of mind impacted the verdict, and the jury instructions on malice were flawed. 

The prolonged appeals process may span several years, with both Trump and Carroll in their 70s.