Jury finds Trump sexually abused writer in New York department store

A New York jury has found that Donald Trump sexually abused the magazine writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and then defamed her by branding her a liar.

The former President has been ordered to pay her $5 million in damages.

Carroll testified during the civil trial that Donald Trump had raped her in a department store dressing room in New York and then dismissed her claims as “a hoax” and “a lie”.

In a statement following the jury’s verdict Ms Carroll said: "Today the world finally knows the truth. This victory is not just for me but for every woman who has suffered because she was not believed."

Mr Trump’s lawyer said he would appeal against the decision. In a post on his Truth Social platform Donald Trump called the verdict a "disgrace" and said "I have absolutely no idea who this woman is."

Because it was a civil lawsuit Mr Trump faces no criminal consequences.