Fact check: Has Donald Trump ever been charged with a crime related to sexual assault?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, Donald Trump has not been criminally charged with sexual assault, but he has faced significant civil liability. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in a civil trial, awarding her $5 million in damages ^{[1] [2]}. This civil verdict represents a legal finding of sexual misconduct, though it falls short of a criminal rape conviction ^[3].

The analyses reveal that Trump has been accused of sexual assault by approximately 25 women since the 1970s ^[3]. These allegations include specific incidents involving multiple women such as Jessica Leeds, Jill Harth, and others, with accusations spanning from the 1970s to 2016 involving inappropriate touching, kissing, and sexual assault ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question conflates criminal charges with civil liability, which are fundamentally different legal proceedings. Criminal charges require prosecution by the state and proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while civil cases involve private parties and require only a preponderance of evidence ^[1].

Trump has consistently denied all allegations and intended to appeal the Carroll verdict ^[5]. The analyses show that while the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse in the Carroll case, they did not find him liable for rape specifically ^[3]. This distinction is legally significant, as it demonstrates the jury's careful consideration of the evidence presented.

The appeals court upheld the $5 million verdict, indicating judicial review supported the original finding ^[2]. However, Trump's legal team and supporters would likely emphasize that civil liability does not constitute criminal guilt and that the standard of evidence differs substantially between civil and criminal proceedings.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains a fundamental legal inaccuracy by asking about criminal charges when the documented legal action was a civil case. This conflation could mislead readers into believing Trump faced criminal prosecution for sexual assault, when the actual legal finding was civil liability ^{[1] [2]}.

The phrasing "charged with a crime" specifically implies criminal proceedings, which did not occur based on the analyses provided. The question would be more accurate if it asked about civil liability or legal findings related to sexual misconduct allegations. This distinction matters significantly in legal and political contexts, as criminal convictions carry different implications than civil judgments.