![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSuicide is on the rise for young Americans, with no clear answersPublished2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage caption, A button featuring Ben SalasBy Will VernonBBC News, North CarolinaWarning: contains upsetting material.Katherine and Tony Salas had no idea their son, Ben, was leading a double life.”In one, he was planning his suicide,” Tony says.”And in the other life, he was shopping for engagement rings.””I wish he would have given us the chance to help him,” says Katherine, her voice breaking.”That was the hardest part – I had no way of talking him through it.”Twenty-one-year-old Ben Salas took his own life last April. He was a promising criminology student at North Carolina State University and an aspiring Olympic athlete. He had many friends, a stable relationship and a loving family.His death was one of 50,000 suicides registered in the US last year – the largest number ever recorded. In second place: 2022, which saw 49,449 suicides. Crippled with grief, Tony and Katherine have created a “memory wall” to Ben in their front room. His university diploma, awarded posthumously, hangs at the top.”He was a good all-round person,” Tony says. “There’s a huge hole in our souls. A part of us is missing.”Image caption, Katherine and Tony Salas saw no warning signsBut why did Ben kill himself? That’s the question the Salas family is struggling to answer.Ben’s parents say their son briefly received treatment for mild depression in 2020, but subsequently reassured them that he had fully recovered.”There weren’t any of the typical indicators that you would expect in a kid that was continuing to struggle mentally. He wasn’t withdrawn,” says Tony.Ben was close to his parents, speaking to them often. Tony called his son shortly before he died.”He said ‘I’m okay. I’m good.’ And then a couple of hours after that he was gone.”North Carolina State University has recently been sent reeling by a series of suicides. In the previous academic year, seven students, including Ben, took their own lives. So far this academic year, there have been three suicides, including one at the end of January.The high number of suicides has been very difficult on staff and students alike, says Assistant Vice-Chancellor Justine Hollingshead, who is based at NC State’s sprawling campus in the centre of Raleigh, North Carolina. She says suicide is a “national epidemic” in the United States that isn’t limited to just college campuses.”If we knew the reason, we would solve the problem. It’s not something that we’re trying to avoid or not figure out. But there may be no warning signs: individuals don’t tell their family or friends, they don’t reach out to resources and they make that decision. And we’ll likely never know why.”NC State has increased the number of counsellors and drop-in spaces, and introduced a system called “QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer” so that students can recognise the signs that friends or classmates are struggling and get them help. Staff are trained to refer students who habitually skip lectures or request extensions to deadlines – in case these, too, are signs that something isn’t right.”I feel like we’re doing the very best we can in unimaginable circumstances,” Ms Hollingshead says.”Last year it was a case of get through and survive, provide support and hope that you can save a life.”Image caption, NC State is asking students to “Question, Persuade, Refer”Raleigh is known as “the City of Oaks” and NC State’s red-brick university buildings are nestled among them. The student union, known as Talley, is a multi-storey beehive of cafes, study areas and shops.”I was in the dorm of the first one that happened.” says one student, Lorelai. “I think a lot of kids our age have anxiety about the world. There are constant things that aren’t getting better, and life is expensive.”Brody, a computer science student, says he’s aware of the help available from emails the university sends out frequently. “They’re putting more of an emphasis on mental health problems,” he says.Other universities, across many different states, are experiencing a similar trend. And suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 35, according to the Centers for Disease Control, America’s health protection agency.The Covid pandemic could be a contributing factor, says Dr Christine Crawford, a psychiatrist and associate medical director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness.”It caused this significant hit on our young people in terms of acquiring the social skills and tools that they need,” she says. “They were at home, they were disconnected from their peers and from the elements that are so critical for healthy development in a young person.”Young people who spend a lot of time “wrapped up” in their gadgets are constantly bombarded with images of war and polarising political messages, which can lead to anxiety and depression, according to Dr Crawford.In December 2021, the US surgeon general issued a rare public health advisory on the rising number of youth attempting suicide, singling out social media and the pandemic, which had “exacerbated the unprecedented stresses young people already faced”.Calls to 988, a national suicide helpline with more than 200 centres across the US, increased by 100,000 per month in the last year alone.One centre in the state of Maryland is currently expanding its staff from the 150 operators who already work there.Operator Josue Melendez says many calls come from younger males, starting at age 15 and going up to 35 or 40, and university students. “The stress of having to pay for [university], the economy as well, all that can be stressful for one person to take in,” he says.Image caption, The parents of Ben Salas have created a memory wallBack at the Salas family home, Katherine agrees young people are struggling with financial pressures.”Every safety net that past generations had has been taken away. I think that a lot of young people feel very insecure about what their future holds for them,” she says.She wears a badge pinned to her top featuring a picture of her son and the words “You Matter”.”I wear it every day, over my heart, because that’s where Ben is,” she says, fighting back tears. They want to raise awareness about “something that he didn’t have control over – depression”.Mental illness is stigmatised in the US, they both say.”We need more people to talk about it,” says Tony. “If it can happen to us, then it can happen to somebody else.”Katherine agrees: “Don’t settle for ‘I’m OK.’ An ‘OK’ may be an OK, but a lot of times it’s not.”If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line. Help and support outside the UK can be found at Befrienders Worldwide or you can call the US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988.Related TopicsSuicide preventionNorth CarolinaMental healthUnited StatesTop StoriesOJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 76Published3 hours agoUnpaid carers shocked at having to repay thousandsPublished1 hour agoUK food production at threat after extreme floodingPublished41 minutes agoFeaturesObituary: The spectacular fall of NFL star OJ SimpsonListen: Americast – The life and death of OJ SimpsonAttributionSoundsThe Papers: Trident ‘safe in Labour’s hands’ and OJ dead at 76Suicide is on the rise for young Americans. Why?’I survived the ferry disaster – but lost 17 of my family’Weekly quiz: How did ‘Hardest Geezer’ celebrate the end of his Africa run?India election: What is at stake in the world’s biggest poll?Bowen: Israel denies famine looms in Gaza, but evidence is overwhelmingHow gang violence gripped a tourist havenElsewhere on the BBCShould you be worried about getting enough protein?Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber unpick this macronutrient to find out what it does in our bodiesAttributionSounds’I’m not difficult… I just cannot take mediocrity’Explore the meteoric rise to fame and troubled personal life of the comedy pioneer Peter SellersAttributioniPlayer’I was freaking out, I knew I was in trouble’How did Australian Holly Deane-Johns end up in a notorious Thai prison?AttributionSoundsUnearthing the fascinating stories of our ancestorsBritain’s Biggest Dig gives a glimpse into the life of the rich and poor of Georgian LondonAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Harry Kane says children ‘fine’ after car crash2Unpaid carers shocked at having to repay thousands3OJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 764David Cameron heads to Brussels for Gibraltar talks5Gang culture at neurosurgery department, doctor alleges6Mother heartbroken over daughter’s stabbing death7UK food production at threat after extreme flooding8NHS spring Covid booster jab bookings to open9Postmistress jailed while pregnant rejects ex-Post Office boss’ apology10Man in court over murder of wife as she pushed pram](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/145B5/production/_133118338_badge.jpg){kind=icon}
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BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaSuicide is on the rise for young Americans, with no clear answersPublished2 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage caption, A button featuring Ben SalasBy Will VernonBBC News, North CarolinaWarning: contains upsetting material.Katherine and Tony Salas had no idea their son, Ben, was leading a double life.”In one, he was planning his suicide,” Tony says.”And in the other life, he was shopping for engagement rings.””I wish he would have given us the chance to help him,” says Katherine, her voice breaking.”That was the hardest part – I had no way of talking him through it.”Twenty-one-year-old Ben Salas took his own life last April. He was a promising criminology student at North Carolina State University and an aspiring Olympic athlete. He had many friends, a stable relationship and a loving family.His death was one of 50,000 suicides registered in the US last year – the largest number ever recorded. In second place: 2022, which saw 49,449 suicides. Crippled with grief, Tony and Katherine have created a “memory wall” to Ben in their front room. His university diploma, awarded posthumously, hangs at the top.”He was a good all-round person,” Tony says. “There’s a huge hole in our souls. A part of us is missing.”Image caption, Katherine and Tony Salas saw no warning signsBut why did Ben kill himself? That’s the question the Salas family is struggling to answer.Ben’s parents say their son briefly received treatment for mild depression in 2020, but subsequently reassured them that he had fully recovered.”There weren’t any of the typical indicators that you would expect in a kid that was continuing to struggle mentally. He wasn’t withdrawn,” says Tony.Ben was close to his parents, speaking to them often. Tony called his son shortly before he died.”He said ‘I’m okay. I’m good.’ And then a couple of hours after that he was gone.”North Carolina State University has recently been sent reeling by a series of suicides. In the previous academic year, seven students, including Ben, took their own lives. So far this academic year, there have been three suicides, including one at the end of January.The high number of suicides has been very difficult on staff and students alike, says Assistant Vice-Chancellor Justine Hollingshead, who is based at NC State’s sprawling campus in the centre of Raleigh, North Carolina. She says suicide is a “national epidemic” in the United States that isn’t limited to just college campuses.”If we knew the reason, we would solve the problem. It’s not something that we’re trying to avoid or not figure out. But there may be no warning signs: individuals don’t tell their family or friends, they don’t reach out to resources and they make that decision. And we’ll likely never know why.”NC State has increased the number of counsellors and drop-in spaces, and introduced a system called “QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer” so that students can recognise the signs that friends or classmates are struggling and get them help. Staff are trained to refer students who habitually skip lectures or request extensions to deadlines – in case these, too, are signs that something isn’t right.”I feel like we’re doing the very best we can in unimaginable circumstances,” Ms Hollingshead says.”Last year it was a case of get through and survive, provide support and hope that you can save a life.”Image caption, NC State is asking students to “Question, Persuade, Refer”Raleigh is known as “the City of Oaks” and NC State’s red-brick university buildings are nestled among them. The student union, known as Talley, is a multi-storey beehive of cafes, study areas and shops.”I was in the dorm of the first one that happened.” says one student, Lorelai. “I think a lot of kids our age have anxiety about the world. There are constant things that aren’t getting better, and life is expensive.”Brody, a computer science student, says he’s aware of the help available from emails the university sends out frequently. “They’re putting more of an emphasis on mental health problems,” he says.Other universities, across many different states, are experiencing a similar trend. And suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 35, according to the Centers for Disease Control, America’s health protection agency.The Covid pandemic could be a contributing factor, says Dr Christine Crawford, a psychiatrist and associate medical director at the National Alliance on Mental Illness.”It caused this significant hit on our young people in terms of acquiring the social skills and tools that they need,” she says. “They were at home, they were disconnected from their peers and from the elements that are so critical for healthy development in a young person.”Young people who spend a lot of time “wrapped up” in their gadgets are constantly bombarded with images of war and polarising political messages, which can lead to anxiety and depression, according to Dr Crawford.In December 2021, the US surgeon general issued a rare public health advisory on the rising number of youth attempting suicide, singling out social media and the pandemic, which had “exacerbated the unprecedented stresses young people already faced”.Calls to 988, a national suicide helpline with more than 200 centres across the US, increased by 100,000 per month in the last year alone.One centre in the state of Maryland is currently expanding its staff from the 150 operators who already work there.Operator Josue Melendez says many calls come from younger males, starting at age 15 and going up to 35 or 40, and university students. “The stress of having to pay for [university], the economy as well, all that can be stressful for one person to take in,” he says.Image caption, The parents of Ben Salas have created a memory wallBack at the Salas family home, Katherine agrees young people are struggling with financial pressures.”Every safety net that past generations had has been taken away. I think that a lot of young people feel very insecure about what their future holds for them,” she says.She wears a badge pinned to her top featuring a picture of her son and the words “You Matter”.”I wear it every day, over my heart, because that’s where Ben is,” she says, fighting back tears. They want to raise awareness about “something that he didn’t have control over – depression”.Mental illness is stigmatised in the US, they both say.”We need more people to talk about it,” says Tony. “If it can happen to us, then it can happen to somebody else.”Katherine agrees: “Don’t settle for ‘I’m OK.’ An ‘OK’ may be an OK, but a lot of times it’s not.”If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line. Help and support outside the UK can be found at Befrienders Worldwide or you can call the US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on 988.Related TopicsSuicide preventionNorth CarolinaMental healthUnited StatesTop StoriesOJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 76Published3 hours agoUnpaid carers shocked at having to repay thousandsPublished1 hour agoUK food production at threat after extreme floodingPublished41 minutes agoFeaturesObituary: The spectacular fall of NFL star OJ SimpsonListen: Americast – The life and death of OJ SimpsonAttributionSoundsThe Papers: Trident ‘safe in Labour’s hands’ and OJ dead at 76Suicide is on the rise for young Americans. Why?’I survived the ferry disaster – but lost 17 of my family’Weekly quiz: How did ‘Hardest Geezer’ celebrate the end of his Africa run?India election: What is at stake in the world’s biggest poll?Bowen: Israel denies famine looms in Gaza, but evidence is overwhelmingHow gang violence gripped a tourist havenElsewhere on the BBCShould you be worried about getting enough protein?Dr Julia Ravey and Dr Ella Hubber unpick this macronutrient to find out what it does in our bodiesAttributionSounds’I’m not difficult… I just cannot take mediocrity’Explore the meteoric rise to fame and troubled personal life of the comedy pioneer Peter SellersAttributioniPlayer’I was freaking out, I knew I was in trouble’How did Australian Holly Deane-Johns end up in a notorious Thai prison?AttributionSoundsUnearthing the fascinating stories of our ancestorsBritain’s Biggest Dig gives a glimpse into the life of the rich and poor of Georgian LondonAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Harry Kane says children ‘fine’ after car crash2Unpaid carers shocked at having to repay thousands3OJ Simpson, NFL star cleared in ‘trial of the century’, dies aged 764David Cameron heads to Brussels for Gibraltar talks5Gang culture at neurosurgery department, doctor alleges6Mother heartbroken over daughter’s stabbing death7UK food production at threat after extreme flooding8NHS spring Covid booster jab bookings to open9Postmistress jailed while pregnant rejects ex-Post Office boss’ apology10Man in court over murder of wife as she pushed pram
[ad_1] With young people like college student Ben Salas dying, families and experts are searching for answers.
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityBusinessMarket DataEconomyYour MoneyCompaniesTechnology of BusinessCEO SecretsArtificial IntelligenceDeliveroo and Uber Eats riders strike on Valentine’s DayPublished43 minutes agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesBy Jemma DempseyBBC NewsTakeaway delivery drivers are planning to strike on Valentine’s Day to demand better pay and improved working conditions. The action, impacting four food apps including Deliveroo and Uber Eats, is thought to involve as many as 3,000 drivers and riders on Wednesday between 17:00 and 22:00 GMT.One cyclist taking part told the BBC their pay was “absolutely ridiculous”. Deliveroo said its rider retention rate was “high” and it reviewed pay yearly.The action, organised by a grassroots group of couriers is intended to draw attention to what has been described as poor pay and working conditions many riders face while delivering food and groceries in cities across the UK. “Sacrificing a few hours for our rights is essential, instead of continuing to work incessantly for insufficient wages,” the group Delivery Job UK said on its Instagram page. “Our request is simple: we want fair compensation for the work we do. We are tired of being exploited and risking our lives every day… It’s time for our voices to be heard.”Aside from Deliveroo and Uber Eats, Just Eat and Stuart.com will also be affected, with couriers who normally compete across multiple apps for delivery planning to refuse to take orders. The action will extend beyond the UK.In the US, drivers for Uber, Lyft and food delivery firms are also set to halt work for two hours on Wednesday, according to Justice for App Workers, which says it represents more than 130,000 app drivers. Organisers said members would not be giving any rides to and from the airport in 10 major cities, including Chicago and Miami. Delivery Job UK claimed its delivery riders were braving the “cold, rain and absurd distances” for deliveries paying “ridiculous values”, ranging from £2.80 to £3.15.A spokesman for the group told the BBC striking Deliveroo riders wanted an increase to a minimum of £5. The other companies use different pricing structures.”They [Deliveroo] have lowered their fees. There’s no incentive anymore. On a Friday night you could make £100 over 4-5 hours, now that’s gone,” the spokesman said. He also claimed couriers were exposed to “a lot of violence on the streets”, especially in the evenings.Deliveroo not forced by law to engage with unionsChildren working for food delivery apps, BBC findsJoe, a courier in London since 2018 who plans to strike on Wednesday, said the work was “incredibly isolating” and attracted a lot of migrant workers who were unable to challenge the conditions and were “forced into it”. “Conditions are shocking,” he told the BBC. “The pricing of fees is aggressive. It’s hard to overstate how sophisticated these algorithms have become. The fees are absolutely ridiculous.” Callum Cant, who has written about the gig economy and is a lecturer at Essex University, said changes to fees meant couriers had seen a 40% drop in wages in real terms since 2018.”With a minimum fee of £2.80, most might only be making three orders an hour, and then they have to subtract their costs too. Some are making £7 an hour, which in London is barely liveable,” he said. While delivery drivers are not formally unionised the GMB has an agreement with Deliveroo which, the union has said, is the first of its kind in the food delivery sector. It includes access to education courses and a pay floor for fees, negotiated each April. In a statement, Deliveroo said it offered its riders self-employed, flexible work, alongside protections. “Rider retention rates are high and the overwhelming majority of riders tell us that they are satisfied working with us”, a spokesperson said.”We are pleased to also be able to offer riders free insurance, sickness cover, financial support when riders become new parents and a range of training opportunities.” Uber Eats told the BBC it offered a “flexible way” for couriers to earn by using its app “when and where they choose”. “We know that the vast majority of couriers are satisfied with their experience on the app, and we regularly engage with couriers to look at how we can improve their experience.” Just Eat said it provided “a highly competitive base rate to self-employed couriers and also offer regular incentives to help them maximise their earnings”.”We continue to review our pay structure regularly and welcome any feedback from couriers,” the company added.Stuart.com said it also was “committed to providing competitive earnings opportunities for courier partners”.Are you a delivery driver who will strike? Are your Valentine’s Day plans affected? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSayUpload pictures or videoPlease read our terms & conditions and privacy policy
If you are reading this page and can’t see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission. Related TopicsCompaniesDeliverooTakeaway foodGig economyJust Eat TakeawayMore on this storyDeliveroo not forced by law to engage with unionsPublished21 November 2023Children working for food delivery apps, BBC findsPublished14 November 2023Food delivery riders strike over pay and conditionsPublished6 October 2023Top StoriesRadio 2 presenter Steve Wright dies aged 69Published29 minutes agoLive. ‘A big part of our lives for years’: Cox leads tributes to Steve WrightLabour suspends second parliamentary candidatePublished21 minutes agoFeatures10 things we spotted in the Oscars class photoFlipping great recipes ideas for Pancake Day from BBC FoodFive things about Harry and Meghan’s brand revampThe Body Shop was a trailblazer – what went wrong?’They thought it was a sex shop’ – The Body Shop in the ’80s. Video’They thought it was a sex shop’ – The Body Shop in the ’80sWhat does Taylor mania mean for the globe?Greece on the brink of legalising same-sex marriageDeclan McKenna: ‘I realised I don’t have to be serious’Can £100m save a high street – and be a blueprint for others?Elsewhere on the BBCThe mysterious deaths of Nazi fugitivesThree brothers investigate whether a family connection may explain the truthAttributioniPlayerHow are jelly beans made?Gregg Wallace visits a Dublin factory that makes over ten million of the sweets per day!AttributioniPlayerThe surprising health benefits of sleeping moreCould going to sleep one hour earlier dramatically improve your mood and health?AttributionSoundsHow close are we to nuclear Armageddon?The Doomsday Clock is the closest it’s ever been to midnight – Jane Corbin investigatesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1Radio 2 presenter Steve Wright dies aged 692Five things about Harry and Meghan’s brand revamp3Swiss shock at Davos sign saying no skis for Jews4Tetley monitoring its tea supplies on daily basis5Paraglider badge wearers guilty of terror offences6IVF clinic investigated over possible damaged eggs7Starmer insists he was decisive on Rochdale candidate8Emma Caldwell accused says sex was ‘consensual’910 things we spotted in the Oscars class photo10Uphill battle for $95bn foreign aid bill in US House](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/95C9/production/_98754383_gettyimages-812550038.jpg)
![BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountLiveNotificationsHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportWeatheriPlayerSoundsBitesizeCBBCCBeebiesFoodClose menuBBC NewsMenuHomeIsrael-Gaza warCost of LivingWar in UkraineClimateUKWorldBusinessPoliticsCultureMoreTechScienceHealthFamily & EducationIn PicturesNewsbeatBBC VerifyDisabilityWorldAfricaAsiaAustraliaEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastUS & CanadaDefamation defeat a double-edged sword for TrumpPublished12 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsIndictments of Donald TrumpImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Donald Trump has framed his legal woes as part of a ‘witch hunt’ against him by his political opponentsBy Sam CabralBBC NewsA New York jury has said Donald Trump must pay $83.3m (£65.6m) to E Jean Carroll, a writer he was found to have defamed by denying her allegation of sexual assault. Legal experts say the award is a message to the former president to stop smearing her. But will it work?Last year Ms Carroll won another civil case in which a separate jury found Mr Trump legally responsible for sexually abusing and defaming her, and awarded her $5m in damages.The outcome in the first case did nothing to deter the former president in denying Ms Carroll’s story, personally attacking the writer and claiming he had never met her.But after Friday’s hefty legal bill, he notably did not denigrate the former Elle columnist in his reaction online, instead calling the case a “Biden Directed Witch Hunt”.Mr Trump – who is currently facing four criminal indictments and could soon have to dish out millions more dollars in a New York civil trial relating to business fraud – has often claimed the cases against him are politically motivated.Trump turns his legal battles into campaign spectacleTrump blasts judge as New York fraud trial nears endTrump must pay $83.3m for defaming E Jean CarrollIn terms of his election campaign, his mounting legal woes have been both a boon and a bane for him, said Grant Reeher, a political science professor at Syracuse University.”It’s hurt the general population’s views of him, but it’s fuelled and strengthened his base, and even driven some Republicans on the fence to ‘stay loyal’ to the cause,” Prof Reeher told the BBC.”Trump has been trying to wear these legal troubles as a badge of honour for his victimisation, and of his commitment to his supporters.”But he added that, while Mr Trump’s “witch hunt” framing may benefit him in the ongoing Republican primary contest, how it translates to the general election remains to be seen.Recent polling has shown Mr Trump locked in a tight race with President Joe Biden, and even edging ahead in some cases, in a prospective rematch of their 2020 race.That “says as much about Biden and the Democrats as it does about Trump”, said Prof Feeder, alluding to the president’s weak job approval ratings and concerns about his age.Even if Mr Trump does genuinely believe he has been wronged by Ms Carroll, and most of his supporters agree, Friday’s verdict reflects how nine of his peers, sitting in the jury box, felt about his conduct.Lawyers for Ms Carroll pointed out throughout the trial that Mr Trump was still defaming her both in and out of court.In closing arguments, they asked the jurors – seven men and two women – to deliver the kind of penalty that will “make him stop”.Image source, ReutersImage caption, E Jean Carroll hugs her team after the verdict was read out”This is a large sum. This is a very, very large sum,” said Dmitriy Shakhnevich, an attorney and professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.”What the jury is saying is this is a wealthy man who’s not stopping, and the only way to stop him is to hurt him [financially].”Of the $83m awarded to Ms Carroll, $65m of it is punitive damages. An award for punitive damages “relies on severity of the conduct”, Prof Shakhnevich noted.Conservative lawyer John Yoo told Fox News: “The whole point of this… is to tell Donald Trump to shut up.”I can’t believe his lawyers haven’t succeeded in telling him: campaign for president, make your accusations about a two-tiered justice system, but leave this alone.”And, though the ex-president is signalling his intention to appeal, legal experts told the BBC he is unlikely to win.The sum of punitive damages “is not so disproportionate to the compensatory damages that it will raise any red flags, and so I would expect that it will stick”, RonNell Andersen Jones, a professor at the University of Utah said.Prof Jones said Mr Trump’s online reaction – taking aim at Mr Biden and the legal system, but not reiterating lies about Ms Carroll – may be an early clue that the damages could have some deterrent effect.University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias said the Republican’s “misbehaviour throughout the trial” may have hurt his case.Prof Tobias argued there was a distinct “lack of respect which Trump exhibited for the judge, the jurors, the opposing counsel, especially Carroll and the civil trial process”.It is extremely unlikely that the Supreme Court would grant an appeal, he added, because the justices rarely ever review cases involving such civil trials.This video can not be playedTo play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.Media caption, Watch: Why Trump must pay $83m to E Jean CarrollFormer federal prosecutor Mitch Epner said Mr Trump has avoided having to pay Ms Carroll any money so far by transmitting a deposit to the court while the appeals process plays out.Mr Epner expects Mr Trump will do the same with these much higher damages – stumping up either cash or an appeal bond as a deposit.Without that, he added, Ms Carroll could start seizing the former president’s personal assets around the country, even putting liens on his real estate.But after Mr Trump’s commanding victories in the first two Republican primary contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, there is no sign that Friday’s verdict will slow his march to the party’s presidential nomination.”The first test will be South Carolina,” said Brian Crowley, a long-time political analyst, referring to the Republican primary vote on 24 February.”With polls showing him well ahead of Nikki Haley, she has an opportunity to use this ruling to push the idea that Trump has too much drama that could cost him the election against Biden.” Related TopicsIndictments of Donald TrumpUS election 2024Donald TrumpUnited StatesMore on this storyTrump must pay $83.3m for defaming E Jean CarrollPublished41 minutes agoTrump takes legal risk on stand in defamation trialPublished1 day agoNikki Haley fights on, but this is Trump’s party nowPublished3 days agoTop StoriesUK halts aid to UN agency over claims staff helped Hamas attackPublished59 minutes ago‘I thought mum left me, she’d been sent to prison’Published14 hours agoFire on ship linked to Britain after Houthi attackPublished3 hours agoFeaturesHuge push for Gaza aid – but little hope for those sufferingBali bomb families face accused at Guantanamo Bay’What terminal cancer has taught me about life’Jess Glynne says she ‘fell out of love with music’The Kindertransport refugees who made Britain homeTwins separated and sold at birth reunited by TikTokCheese, beef, cars: What UK-Canada trade rift meansGolden age or dying days for British theatre?Israel reined in by ICJ ruling – but will it obey?Elsewhere on the BBCA Scottish wild swimming road-trip!Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill take the plunge at Scotland’s breath-taking wild swimming spotsAttributioniPlayerScientists uncover alcohol’s hidden dangersInvestigating what alcohol is and why so many people love to drink itAttributioniPlayerCould this Italian dream turn into a real nightmare?Amanda Holden and Alan Carr don their boiler suits to renovate a dilapidated house in TuscanyAttributioniPlayerBritish television’s greatest double actEric and Ernie share their remarkable journey through TV appearances, rare radio material and BBC archivesAttributioniPlayerMost Read1UK halts aid to UN agency after Hamas attack claim2John Lewis planning major workforce cuts3Boy with IQ of 162 says football comes first4Warning over children using viral skincare products5Fire on ship linked to Britain after Houthi attack6‘I thought mum left me, she’d been sent to prison’7Greta Thunberg joins marchers in airport protest8Defamation defeat a double-edged sword for Trump9’Alfie’s killer threatened to torture me to death’10The Traitors TV final reaches dramatic conclusion](https://newsinsightplus.com/wp-content/uploads/https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/branded_news/5C5C/production/_132444632_trump.jpg)
