Trump seeks new trial in E. Jean Carroll case over 'grossly excessive' damages

Attorneys for former President Donald Trump are seeking a new trial in the E. Jean Carroll case, arguing that the damages awarded to her were "grossly excessive."

Attorneys for the former president submitted a filing in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on Thursday asking that it "order a new trial on damages or grant remittitur," according to The Hill.

A jury held Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against Carroll in early May, awarding her $2 million in damages for the first count and $3 million for the second.

Carroll had alleged that Trump raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room some time in the 1990s. Trump maintains his denial of Carroll's accusations and his lawyers have filed a notice of appeal, beginning the process of challenging the verdict.

In the filing, Trump's attorneys specifically noted that the jury determined the former president did not rape Carroll, but sexually abused her. They further contended that such a classification could cover a wide array of conduct, that "could have included groping of [Carroll’s] breasts through clothing or similar conduct, which is a far cry from rape."

"Therefore, an award of $2 million for such conduct, which admittedly did not cause any diagnosed mental injury to [Carroll], is grossly excessive under the applicable case law," they contended.

Separate from the sexual abuse damages, Trump's team argued that the defamation award was "based upon pure speculation." That count stemmed from Trump's denials of the incident.

He has since reiterated his stance denying Carroll's claims, prompting her to seek additional damages. Trump appeared in a CNN town hall shortly after the original verdict, during which he mocked Carroll's claims and repeated his denials.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.