Trumpers are lauding today's development as a victory for trump, saying that since he was not convicted of actual rape, the whole trial was a big loss for his accusers.

They don't mention the money he's going to have to shell out.

I keep reading that trump offered no defense in the trial, and it is true that he didn't appear in person. He did, however, present the deposition; he and his team must have figured that would do the trick.