Jury Verdict in New York Finds Former President Donald Trump Liable for Sexual Abuse and Defamation of Writer E. Jean Carroll, Sparking Debate Among Republicans

Prominent Republicans have reacted to the jury verdict in New York finding former President Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation of writer E. Jean Carroll. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages, but did not find Trump liable for rape.

Jason Osborne, the New Hampshire House majority leader and an endorser of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, expressed disgust at the allegations against Trump. “It’s pretty appalling to me that something like that can happen to a human being in the free world,” he said in a telephone interview with NBC News.

Several of Trump’s GOP rivals for the 2024 presidential nomination have declined to criticize him directly over the verdict. However, some have expressed sympathy for Carroll. Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford said in a statement that “the jury’s decision sends a clear message that no one is above the law, and that victims of sexual assault must be heard and respected.”

The jury’s decision has sparked debate among Republicans about the impact it will have on Trump’s political future. Some argue that the verdict will not have any effect on Trump’s standing among his base, while others believe it could hurt his chances in the 2024 presidential election.

The jury’s decision has also raised questions about how the Republican party will address the issue of sexual assault in the future. While some Republicans have expressed support for Carroll, others have remained silent. It remains to be seen how the party will address the issue going forward.