Lawyers for former Elle magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll have requested that the judge in her defamation case against Donald Trump approve the $91,630,000 bond secured by the former president, subject to a small change in one of the terms.
The change reduces the amount of time between the resolution of Trump’s appeal and Carroll’s payment.
“Depending on the Court’s preference, Your Honor can so order this letter, or the parties can submit a stipulation or other appropriate documentation to effectuate this change,” Carroll’s attorneys wrote in a letter sent Monday to the judge.
The agreement on the bond negated the need for a proposed hearing on the matter Monday afternoon.
Monday’s request came as Carroll’s attorneys said they were monitoring Trump’s statements for possible defamatory comments of the same kind that initially landed him in court.
“The statute of limitations for defamation in most jurisdictions is between one and three years,” Carroll’s lawyer Roberta Kaplan said in a statement Monday. “As we said after the last jury verdict, we continue to monitor every statement that Donald Trump makes about our client, E. Jean Carroll.”
“I just posted a $91 million bond — 91 million on a fake story, totally made-up story … based on false accusations made about me by a woman that I knew nothing about,” Trump said at a campaign event in Georgia on Saturday, a day after he secured a $91,630,000 bond to cover the judgment and filed a notice of appeal of the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
Writer E. Jean Carroll leaves federal court after the verdict in her defamation case against former US president Donald Trump in New York on January 26, 2024.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
“Didn’t know, never heard of her. I know nothing about her,” he told supporters.
Carroll’s attorneys had previously said they would consider all options should Trump continue to defame Carroll.
“I want to ask both of you — are you confident he won’t do it again. What happens if he does?” ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos asked Carroll and Kaplan after the verdict in January.
“I can’t be confident about anything Donald Trump does,” Carroll replied.
“All options are on the table,” said Kaplan. “If we have to bring another case, we’ll bring another case. It’s just going to be more money.”
Trump in January was ordered to pay $83.3 million plus interest in damages to Carroll for defaming her in 2019 when he denied her allegation that he sexually abused her in the dressing room of a Manhattan department store in the 1990s. Trump has denied all wrongdoing.
Attorneys representing E. Jean Carroll, a writer who has accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault, are seeking a judge’s approval for a $91 million bond in her defamation case against Trump. The case stems from comments made by Trump in 2019, where he denied ever meeting Carroll and accused her of lying about the alleged assault.
Carroll’s attorneys argue that the large bond amount is necessary to ensure that Trump does not attempt to evade responsibility for his actions. They believe that Trump’s vast financial resources make him a flight risk and that a substantial bond is needed to guarantee that he will appear in court and comply with any potential judgment.
The defamation case has been closely watched since Carroll first came forward with her allegations against Trump in a 2019 book. In response to her claims, Trump dismissed them as “totally false” and suggested that Carroll was motivated by a desire for publicity.
Carroll’s legal team has been aggressive in pursuing the case, arguing that Trump’s comments have damaged her reputation and caused her emotional distress. They are seeking not only financial compensation but also a public apology from Trump for his statements.
The $91 million bond request is seen as a strategic move by Carroll’s attorneys to put pressure on Trump and his legal team. By seeking such a large amount, they hope to signal to the court and the public the seriousness of the case and the potential consequences for Trump if he is found liable for defamation.
It remains to be seen whether the judge will approve the $91 million bond request. However, the case has already sparked intense debate about the power dynamics between powerful individuals and their accusers, as well as the role of the legal system in holding public figures accountable for their actions.
Overall, the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll against Donald Trump is shaping up to be a high-stakes legal battle with significant implications for both parties involved. As the proceedings continue, all eyes will be on the courtroom to see how this contentious dispute ultimately plays out.
