Florida Rep. Greg Steube ripped the verdict in the defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll against former President Trump Friday.
A Manhattan jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in compensatory and punitive damages Friday for Trump criticizing while appearing on a CNN Town Hall in May of 2023.
“This verdict is an outrage. Our legal system is completely weaponized against the presumed GOP nominee for the purposes of election interference, but the Left never learns. The American people see through this sham and they stand with President Trump. He will come out of this stronger than ever. MAGA!” said Steube on X.
Former President Donald Trump announced following the verdict that he would appeal the decision.
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“Absolutely ridiculous! I fully disagree with both verdicts, and will be appealing this whole Biden Directed Witch Hunt focused on me and the Republican Party,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!”
Trump previously chastised United States District Judge Lewis Kaplan of the Southern District of New York for preventing his attorneys from presenting evidence, including an interview with CNN host Anderson Cooper.
“Judge Kaplan refuses to allow the Anderson Cooper Interview on CNN of E. Jean Carroll wherein Carroll says, ‘Rape is sexy,’ and numerous other things that totally exonerate me,” Trump posted. “Judge Kaplan is refusing me my Constitutional Right to Due Process, to defend myself against this False Accusation. This is a one-sided trial, where the other side is allowed everything, and we are allowed nothing. He is an extremely abusive individual, the likes of which few have seen before!”
Read: Former Federal Prosecutor Tells How Jury Could ‘Punish’ Trump ‘Pocketbook’ In E. Jean Carroll Trial
Kaplan threatened to imprison Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, during the trial when she attempted to present evidence. Trump stormed out of the courtroom during the trial’s closing arguments on Friday.
Trump is also facing a civil fraud trial in New York after Democratic Attorney General Letitia James sued him in September 2022, alleging that he overstated the value of his real estate holdings in order to secure loans.
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