A federal jury in New York found former President Donald Trump liable for defamation and ordered him to pay $83.3 million to author E. Jean Carroll . The verdict follows a 2023 trial that also concluded Trump committed a lesser degree of sexual abuse. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has opened a perjury investigation into Carroll’s 2022 deposition, focusing on claims about external funding for her lawsuit.

Jury awards Carroll $83.3 million in damages

The jury’s award broke down into $11 million for reputational harm, $7.3 million for emotional distress, and a staggering $65 million in punitive damages, according to the court filing. The total figure eclipses the $5 million Trump was awarded in a separate counter‑claim, underscoring the scale of the judgment against him.

Legal analysts note that the punitive component reflects the jury’s view that Trump’s false statements were made with “actual malice,” a high bar in defamation law. The verdict is expected to be appealed, but the judge already denied Trump’s request for a new trial, leaving the $83.3 million judgment in place for now.

DOJ opens perjury probe into Carroll’s 2022 deposition

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois announced a criminal investigation into Carroll’s testimony given during a 2022 deposition. Prosecutors are scrutinizing her claim that outside funding influenced her lawsuit against Trump, a point that could carry perjury implications if proven false.

As reported by the source, the investigation is being led from Chicago and has not yet disclosed any charges.. the probe adds a new layer of complexity to a case already fraught with legal battles on both sides.

Reid Hoffman’s nonprofit linked to Carroll’s lawsuit funding

Documents obtained by the media revealed that a nonprofit affiliated with billionaire venture capitalist Reid Hoffman played a role in financing Carroll’s legal effort. While the nonprofit’s involvement was disclosed in court filings, the DOJ’s perjury inquiry will examine whether Carroll misrepresented the nature or extent of that support.

Observers point out that the revelation could fuel arguments that the lawsuit was part of a broader political strategy, a narrative Trump has repeatedly used to label the case a “witch hunt.”

Trump’s appeal denied and $5 million counter‑award upheld

After the 2023 trial, Trump sought a new trial on the defamation claim, but a judge rejected the motion, leaving the original verdict intact. In a separate judgment, Trump was awarded $5 million for claims he said he suffered as a result of Carroll’s accusatioons.

The coexistence of a massive award to Carroll and a smaller counter‑award to Trump illustrates the tangled legal calculus of high‑profile defamation suits,where both parties can walk away with significant sums.

What will the perjury investigation mean for Carroll?

Legal experts warn that if prosecutors find sufficient evidence of false statements, Carroll could face criminal charges that would dramatically shift public perception of the case. However, the investigation is still in its early stages, and no indictment has been filed.

Additionally, the outcome could influence any future appeals by Trump, potentially providing leverage for the defense if Carroll’s credibility is undermined.