What To Know: A federal jury in New York found President Trump liable (legally responsible) for sexual abuse and defamation of E. Jean Carroll, a writer, in a case she brought before the court based on an encounter in the mid-1990s. He was ordered by the court to pay Carroll $5 million in total damages, though told Fox News he plans to appeal. He stated on Truth Social, his social media platform, "This verdict is a disgrace – a continuation of the greatest witch hunt of all time!"

The ability to bring this case against President Trump came from a new law in New York (signed in 2022) – the Adult Survivors Act – "that allows adult survivors to bring claims that would otherwise be barred by the statute of limitations" (CNN). Learn more HERE. ("A statute of limitations is a law that sets the maximum amount of time that parties involved in a dispute have to initiate legal proceedings from the date of an alleged offense, whether civil or criminal." – Investopedia)

Why It Matters: President Trump, a 2024 presidential candidate, is under investigation in at least three other cases. However, the current state of these cases – as well as the April charges for allegedly falsifying business records – do not affect President Trump's ability to run for president. It is also worth noting that because the case decided on Tuesday was a civil case rather than a criminal case, President Trump will not serve prison time.

Trump sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll, must pay her $5 million, jury says (Reuters)

Trump liable for sexual abuse, defamation; ordered to pay E. Jean Carroll $5 million (CBS News)