OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Columnist E. Jean Carroll’s legal team has voiced “serious concerns” that former President Donald Trump might not have enough cash on hand to pay the $83.3 million grant she received earlier this month in a defamation lawsuit.
In response to Trump’s most recent request that the trial judge postpone the judgment’s enforcement while his attorneys attempt to lessen or eliminate it through appeal, attorney Roberta Kaplan filed a response in court on Thursday.
In the past, a different jury in New York found Trump guilty of sexually abusing Carroll in a department store during the 1990s and gave Carroll a $5 million award.
“He simply asks the Court to ‘trust me’ and offers, in a case with an $83.3 million judgment against him, the court filing equivalent of a paper napkin; signed by the least trustworthy of borrowers,” Kaplan wrote in the filing.
Kaplan and her client are concerned that Trump may not have the cash on hand to pay Carroll’s award due to a recent $454 million civil fraud verdict.
“To begin, recent developments give rise to very serious concerns about Trump’s cash position and the feasibility (and ease) of collecting on the judgment in this case,” she added.
“Moreover, by the time the post-trial motions (or the appeal) are fully resolved, Trump may be in a very different position,” Kaplan noted.
“He could then be President of the United States; he could then be a convicted criminal serving time behind bars; or, given his advanced age, Carroll may be forced to reckon with his estate. Any of these developments could substantially complicate collection efforts here,” she concludes.
After the ruling, however, Trump’s lawyer and spokeswoman offered some free legal advice to Carroll: Don’t spend the money just yet.
During an interview on Newsmax TV with host Eric Bolling, Habba attacked Carroll for offering to purchase MSNBC anchor Rachel Maddow a penthouse apartment and new clothes following a jury’s decision.
“It was like being in an epic Twilight Zone where no rules were allowed but for the other side, and then she goes out there and gloats and says she’s gonna buy France, and a wardrobe, and a motorcycle, and this and that. I want everyone to remember, and I said this in my closing argument to the jury: she’s here to get a check, and after this, she will continue. She didn’t care, you know, about the defamation. She didn’t. She cared about the publicity,” Habba said.
“On appeal, those rulings will come up, the one-sidedness will come up, and we will prevail,” predicted Habba, before concluding, “My advice to her would be not to go ahead and purchase any motorcycles or penthouse apartments.”
During her interview with Maddow, Carroll was asked about her previous statements implying that any funds she would receive from Trump would be allocated specifically to “help shore up women’s rights.”
“Yes, Rachel! Yes!” Carroll responded. “I had such, such great ideas for all the good I’m gonna do with this money.”
“First thing, Rachel, you and I are gonna go shopping!” she exclaimed. “We’re gonna get complete new wardrobes, new shoes, motorcycle for [Carroll’s attorney Shawn] Crowley, a new fishing rod for Robbie [Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan] — Rachel, what do you want? A penthouse? It’s yours, Rachel! Penthouse in France? You want France? You want to go fishing in France? No?”
As Maddow giggled at Carroll’s remarks, Carroll’s attorney jumped in and said, “That’s a joke.”
The video went viral after numerous individuals stated that her comments eroded her credibility.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha said, “If you needed any more proof this whole suit and verdict was a crock, here it is. And of course, Maddow still soaks it all up while not realizing how damaging this is.”
If you needed any more proof this whole suit and verdict was a crock, here it is.
And of course, Maddow still soaks it all up while not realizing how damaging this is. https://t.co/jrXBrP2XN0
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) January 30, 2024
“Rough night for MSNBC,” Outkick founder Clay Travis remarked.
“This shows exactly what’s wrong with the justice system. You’re claiming the harm to your reputation was so bad you need millions to compensate for it, then you make these types of jokes. This also paints real assault survivors in bad lights and makes them seem money hungry. Absolutely disgusting,” Independent Women’s Forum spokesperson Paula Scanlan wrote.
“She’s a nutball,” The Spectator contributing editor Stephen Miller said.
Radio host Rob O’Donnell explained, “Being in Law Enforcement and public safety for over 3 decades having worked special victims cases, this is not the mindset of a victim. No amount of money can ever make whole a true victim of sexual assault nonetheless make them giddy.”
