On April 3, 2024, Donald Trump’s attorney Alina Habba declared that E. Jean Carroll will receive “zero” from the $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded in January 2024 and may face liability for Trump’s legal fees. Speaking on the PBD Podcast, Habba called Carroll “crazy” and vowed to sue for attorney’s fees, arguing the verdict was flawed. The jury found Trump liable for defaming Carroll by denying her 1990s sexual assault allegations, awarding $18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages. Habba’s remarks follow a tumultuous trial where she was reprimanded by Judge Lewis Kaplan for courtroom conduct and faced threats of jail time.
Habba’s claim hinges on Trump’s appeal, for which he posted a $91.6 million bond. She argued that Carroll’s public statements, including joking about spending the award, undermine her case. However, legal experts like George Washington University’s Stephen Saltzburg dismiss the appeal’s chances, citing strong evidence of reputational harm. Carroll’s team, led by Roberta Kaplan, has threatened sanctions against Habba for alleging a conflict of interest involving the judge, a claim Habba later softened. The case, rooted in Carroll’s 2019 accusations and Trump’s denials, has drawn intense scrutiny, with Trump calling it a “Biden-directed witch hunt.” As the appeal looms, the financial and political stakes remain high, polarizing opinions on justice and accountability.
