Pence: American voters won’t care about verdict in E. Jean Carroll lawsuit against Trump.

Former Vice President Mike Pence Reacts to Trump Verdict

Former Vice President Mike Pence has spoken out about the recent verdict in the E. Jean Carroll trial, in which former President Donald Trump was found liable for battery and defamation charges. Despite the media’s fascination with the case, Pence believes that the American people are more focused on the struggles facing American families and the state of the economy.

The Verdict

A Manhattan grand jury ruled against Trump on one count of defamation and one count of battery in a civil case launched against him by Carroll, an advice columnist. While the jury rejected Carroll’s allegations of rape, they found that Trump should pay a total of about $5 million in damages to Carroll, including about $3 million for the defamation charge and about $2 million for the civil battery charge.

Pence’s Response

When asked whether Trump would be fit to serve as president after the jury’s verdict, Pence, a potential 2024 contender, said “I think that’s a question for the American people.” While he subtly defended his former boss, Pence also stated that he never witnessed behavior of that nature during his time serving alongside Trump.

Divided Responses

2024 Republican presidential contenders have had mixed reactions to the verdict. Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who launched his White House campaign last month, blasted Trump in a statement after Tuesday’s news of the verdict. Meanwhile, Trump has continued to deny all of Carroll’s allegations.

The Background

Carroll’s allegations date back to 1995 or 1996, when she claims Trump raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room. Trump denied the allegations in 2019, saying that “she’s not my type.” Carroll filed a lawsuit accusing Trump of defamation that same year, which bounced around state, federal, and appellate courts without material consequences. In 2022, the New York state legislature passed the Adult Survivor Act, which allowed victims of certain sexual offenses to file a civil lawsuit against alleged offenders within a one-year window. Carroll filed a second lawsuit under this Act on Nov. 24, 2022, which went to trial and resulted in the latest verdict.

Trump’s Response

Trump has called the verdict a “disgrace” and a continuation of the “greatest witch hunt of all time.”

Key Takeaways

• Former Vice President Mike Pence believes that the American people are more focused on the struggles facing American families and the state of the economy than the recent verdict in the E. Jean Carroll trial.
• A Manhattan grand jury ruled against Trump on one count of defamation and one count of battery in a civil case launched against him by Carroll.
• 2024 Republican presidential contenders have had mixed reactions to the verdict.
• Carroll’s allegations date back to 1995 or 1996, and she filed a second lawsuit under the Adult Survivor Act in 2022.
• Trump has denied all of Carroll’s allegations and called the verdict a “disgrace.”