In a courtroom that was more dramatic than many could have imagined, E. Jean Carroll delivered a momentous blow to former President Donald Trump, not just in legal terms but in a way that resonated with every person who has ever fought for justice against the odds.
It all started with a defamation trial, but it turned into something much bigger — a victory that reverberated far beyond the walls of the courtroom.
The Battle That Captured the Nation’s Attention
On the surface, it appeared to be just another defamation case. Trump, infamous for his fiery rhetoric and even more explosive behavior, was facing allegations from Carroll, a woman who had accused him of sexual assault. But as the case unfolded, it became clear that this was no ordinary trial.
E. Jean Carroll wasn’t just seeking damages — she was fighting for truth. Truth that had been buried, dismissed, and ignored for far too long. And as the trial went on, it was not just the evidence that stood out, but also the bizarre and shocking behavior of the very man who had once occupied the Oval Office.
The Disturbing Behavior That Mesmerized the Jury
Throughout the proceedings, Trump’s actions were nothing short of bizarre, and his behavior in the courtroom became a spectacle of its own. As E. Jean Carroll later described it, he was “mesmerizing” the jury, but not in any positive way. His continuous fidgeting, his odd snorts, the loud groaning, and the bizarre commentary — it was as if he couldn’t stay still for even a moment. He belittled his own attorney, Alina Habba, openly mocked the proceedings, and even spat as he spoke.
Carroll didn’t mince words when describing Trump’s courtroom antics. She vividly recalled how he sat, surrounded by those who should have been his legal team, acting more like a frustrated child than a seasoned politician. The jury couldn’t look away. Was it his bizarre behavior? Or was it the fact that they were witnessing a man unravel right before their eyes?
“I don’t understand how people can be afraid of a fat, elderly man who wears apricot makeup,” Carroll remarked. “His hair done up like Tippi Hedren in The Birds… and he sits there in a courtroom, moaning, groaning, complaining, and snorting. It’s mesmerizing — but not in a good way.”
The Moment Trump Lost His Cool (and the Case)
One of the pivotal moments of the trial came when Trump was pushed to his breaking point. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan, had her turn with the closing arguments, and in that moment, Trump lost his composure entirely.
When Kaplan began to present the final argument, Trump, unable to sit still, stood up in what seemed to be a frantic panic. Carroll described how steam seemed to rise from his back as he stormed out of the courtroom. “When a man is innocent, he doesn’t storm out of a courtroom; he stays and fights,” Carroll recalled. “He turned tail and stormed out. He lost right then.”
That moment wasn’t just a sign of Trump’s defeat — it was the tipping point where his own behavior condemned him. A man with nothing to hide would have stayed and fought; instead, he fled. And as the courtroom doors swung open behind him, Carroll’s victory seemed assured.
The $83 Million Moment
The jury had heard the evidence. The case was clear, but the moment of truth arrived when the verdict was handed to the judge. As the court clerk opened the envelope, there was a pause — a moment that felt suspended in time. Then came the moment everyone was waiting for.
Judge Kaplan opened the envelope and raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “Madame forewoman, what does the M stand for?” he asked, eyes wide with astonishment.
The forewoman’s reply: “Million.”
The room erupted in realization — E. Jean Carroll had won. And not just in a symbolic way, but with a victory that would stand as one of the largest defamation awards in history — $83 million.
Carroll described the feeling as nothing short of surreal, “I felt like Peter Pan flying around the ceilings,” she said. “That win was so enormous and so powerful, not just for me, not just for Robbie, but for everybody in the country who had lost hope that he could ever be beaten.”
The Larger Message: Trump Can Be Beaten
This trial wasn’t just about the facts of the case; it was about a message — a message that resonated across the nation. E. Jean Carroll’s victory was about more than just winning a lawsuit; it was a victory for every person who has ever felt powerless, who has ever been dismissed, ignored, or silenced. It was a victory for the truth.
In the face of overwhelming odds, Carroll’s courage to fight back proved something powerful: Trump, for all his bluster and bravado, was not invincible. He could be beaten. And Carroll and her attorney, Robbie Kaplan, showed the world exactly how.
“The victory is still with us,” Carroll said. “We’ve proved — Robbie proved, and I proved — that Trump can be beaten. He can be beaten.”
The Impact: A Message for All
In the end, the victory wasn’t just about E. Jean Carroll or Donald Trump. It was a message to every person who has ever been oppressed, marginalized, or made to feel like their voice didn’t matter: You can fight back. No matter how powerful or intimidating your opponent may seem, courage, truth, and the willingness to stand up for yourself can make a difference.
Trump may have been a figurehead of power, but that power was shattered in the courtroom. Carroll’s triumph shows that with persistence and the courage to stand firm, no one — no matter how rich, famous, or powerful — is beyond justice.
Conclusion: Courage Can Defeat Even the Strongest
E. Jean Carroll’s victory serves as a testament to the power of courage, the importance of standing up for what is right, and the undeniable truth that justice can prevail, even when it feels impossible. The defamation case against Trump wasn’t just a battle of words — it was a battle of wills. And Carroll’s will to see justice done has left an indelible mark on history.
