WFLA

Closing arguments in Trump defamation trial

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Closing arguments are happening Friday in the defamation case against former President Donald Trump by the author E. Jean Carroll.

Setting up a New York jury’s decision as to how much, if anything, the former president will have to pay Carroll.

Depending on what the jury decides that amount could end up being millions of dollars.

Carroll alleges Trump, while president, defamed her when he denied her allegation that he sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a high-end New York City department store in the mid-1990s.

A separate civil trial found Trump liable for sexually assault, ordering him to pay Carroll around $2 million for abuse.

Carroll’s lawyer’s say Trump damaged her reputation and some believe a jury could order him to pay as much as $12 million.

Thursday, the former president briefly testified in the case, telling a judge when asked if he ordered anyone to hurt Carroll “No. I just wanted to defend myself, my family, and frankly the presidency.”

The judge immediately asked the jury to disregard that since Trump had been ordered to make no political statements during his testimony.

It’s unclear how long it will take for the jury to reach a verdict.