The 2nd Circuit is in the news for upholding Trump’s defamation verdict and rejecting Sandy Hook hoax appeals. It covers NY, CT, VT.
On September 8, 2025, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an $83.3 million defamation verdict against Donald Trump for his repeated attacks on E. Jean Carroll. The court rejected Trump's claim of presidential immunity, affirming the jury's damages as reasonable given the egregious nature of his conduct.
Alex Jones is appealing a Connecticut court's default judgment that found him liable for defamation related to his claims about the Sandy Hook shooting. The appeal challenges the court's decision to impose a large damages award without a full trial, citing First Amendment protections and procedural concerns. The case remains ongoing as Jones seeks to overturn the ruling.