GLAAD STATEMENT ON DONALD TRUMP HELD LIABLE FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND DEFAMATION, AND ORDERED TO PAY $5 MILLION IN DAMAGES

(May 9, 2023 – New York, NY) GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, has released a statement about the jury verdict against Donald Trump holding him liable for sexual abuse and defamation.

The unanimous jury verdict found Trump liable in his attack on E. Jean Carroll and that he defamed her, ordering Trump to pay her $5 million in damages. Carroll’s legal team, led by attorney Roberta Kaplan, also called two other women to testify that Trump assaulted them in a similar manner as Carroll.

Trump had suggested he would testify, but did not take the stand. He appeared in a deposition video conducted by Kaplan.

Statement from GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, on Instagram and here:

“E. Jean Carroll’s courage, and her legal team’s expertise led by LGBTQ icon Robbie Kaplan, must become a turning point in history for all survivors of sexual abuse and torment. Voters have already held Donald Trump accountable for his atrocious, discriminatory presidency and treatment of women and all marginalized communities. Jurors and the world at large got to see his disgusting rhetoric on full display, unapologetically bragging about rape and abuse. Media reporting on his ongoing, inexplicable political career must follow Kaplan’s lead and challenge the former president’s lies and abusive behavior. Voters and the media can follow the jury’s lead to continue holding Trump accountable for his revolting words and actions.”

Additional research:

• GLAAD has documented more than 200 attacks against LGBTQ people, in policy and rhetoric, throughout the Trump-Pence administration
• All three Trump Supreme Court nominees voted to overturn Roe v Wade. One nominee was credibly accused of sexual assault, and the two other nominees were confirmed in anti-democratic fashion including holding an open seat for 10 months and rushing a nomination as Americans were voting for the next president.
• Roberta Kaplan’s legal career includes advances made for marriage equality, representing Edie Windsor to overturn the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act at the U.S. Supreme Court, and fighting state-by-state to ensure same-sex couples can marry and receive the same legal and financial protections as married opposite sex couples.