Joe Scarborough slammed for 'name-calling' former pal Trump after $83M verdict in E Jean Carroll case

WASHINGTON, DC: In a dramatic segment on the Monday, January 29 episode of Morning Joe, MSNBC host Joe Scarborough didn't hold back his criticism of former President Donald Trump after a substantial judgment was handed down in his court battle with E Jean Carroll.

The defamation case revolved around Carroll's allegations of sexual abuse against Trump in 2019.

During the discussion, Scarborough and his 'Morning Joe' co-host delved into the recent verdict, which resulted in Trump being found liable for defamation and an $83.3 million award to Carroll. Last week, the court concluded that Trump had defamed Carroll after she came forward with her accusations.

Responding to the judgment, Trump took to Truth Social and called it "absolutely ridiculous.” He criticized the legal system, writing, "Our Legal System is out of control, and being used as a Political Weapon. They have taken away all First Amendment Rights," and announced his intention to file an appeal, per Fox News.

Joe Scarborough compares E Jean Carroll's defamation case Sandy Hook case

Scarborough seized the opportunity to reflect on a broader trend, questioning whether the laws governing free speech had been suspended in recent years. He drew parallels to other high-profile defamation cases, including InfoWars host Alex Jones, who faced a $1.5 billion judgment for spreading falsehoods about the Sandy Hook parents.

“You see the InfoWars guy, bankrupted by lying about the Sandy Hook parents, because when he did that, you were like, ‘Who? Wait, people can do that in America?” Scarborough remarked. “But they do that in America.”

Referencing former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani's $150 million defamation order related to false claims about election workers, Scarborough highlighted the consequences of misleading statements.

He continued, “When Rudy Giuliani lied about two black women who were trying to help Georgia and be public servants? Yeah, he lied about just just made up a lie about him. You have to go, ‘Wait a second. Can you do that in America? Is that … I didn’t think you could do that. It ended up that you couldn’t. He’s going bankrupt now.”

Scarborough subsequently addressed Trump.

“Then Donald Trump thinking, ‘Well, I can defame a woman, I can keep defaming a woman, I can be found guilty of sexually abusing her. I can still lie about her. I can still defame her. I can still say terrible things about her because I’m Donald Trump,” the MSNBC host said. “And the jury finally, finally came out and said, yeah, you’re Donald Trump, and you’re going to owe E Jean Carroll $83 million.”

"One idiot at a time. I’ve just got to say it, one idiot at a time," he continued. "Do they not know that there are defamation laws in the United States of America? One idiot at a time. Whether you’re talking to the Infowars guy or Rudy Giuliani or now Donald Trump, you know, they screwed around, and they found out what happens when you defame people over and over again.”

Internet slams Joe Scarborough for his comments about Donald Trump  

However, Scarborough was mocked on social media from across the political aisle for his comments.

"Joe can pontificate all he wants but he can thank himself for giving Trump a platform and helping him win in ‘16," one posted on X (formerly Twitter).

"Name-calling Trump supporters is healthy?" another wrote.

"Looks like MSNBC up for a lawsuit," someone else added.

"No evidence No dress No date No witnesses No case But Trump," another commented.

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