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A New York jury has ordered Donald Trump to pay $83.3 million to writer E Jean Carroll, who he defamed by denying her allegation of sexual assault. Legal experts believe that this substantial award is meant to send a message to the former president to stop smearing her. However, it remains to be seen if this will have any impact on Trump's behavior. This verdict comes after Carroll previously won another civil case against Trump, where a jury found him legally responsible for sexually abusing and defaming her and awarded her $5 million in damages. Despite this previous ruling, Trump continued to deny Carroll's story and personally attack her. However, in his response to the recent verdict, he refrained from denigrating Carroll and instead called it a "Biden Directed Witch Hunt." Trump has often claimed that the cases against him are politically motivated, and his mounting legal troubles have both hurt and helped his election campaign. While these legal woes have damaged his overall popularity, they have also strengthened his base and solidified support from some Republicans. Trump has tried to portray these legal troubles as proof of victimization and his commitment to his supporters. This framing may benefit him in the ongoing Republican primary contest, but how it will translate to the general election remains uncertain. Recent polling shows Trump in a tight race with President Biden, indicating concerns about Biden's job approval ratings and age. The verdict reflects how nine jurors perceived Trump's conduct, despite his own belief of being wronged by Carroll and his supporters sharing this sentiment. Throughout the trial, Carroll's lawyers highlighted how Trump continued to defame her both inside and outside the courtroom. They asked the jury to deliver a penalty that would make him stop. The punitive damages awarded to Carroll amount to $65 million, with the remainder being compensatory damages. Legal experts believe that this sum, while significant, is not disproportionate and is likely to stick. Trump's intention to appeal is seen as unlikely to succeed. His online reaction focused on criticizing Biden and the legal system, but he avoided reiterating lies about Carroll. This response may indicate that the damages have some deterrent effect. Trump's behavior during the trial, including a lack of respect for the judge, jurors, opposing counsel, and the trial process itself, may have weakened his case. It is highly unlikely that the Supreme Court would grant an appeal as they rarely review cases involving civil trials. In order to delay paying Carroll any money, Trump has been depositing funds with the court while the appeals process continues. It is expected that he will do the same with these larger damages. Without such a deposit, Carroll may begin seizing Trump's personal assets and putting liens on his real estate. Despite this verdict, there is no indication that it will impede Trump's progress in the Republican primary contests. It remains to be seen if Trump's opponents, such as Nikki Haley in the South Carolina primary, will use this ruling to challenge his candidacy based on the drama surrounding him, potentially affecting his chances against Biden in the general election.