The United States Supreme Court has once more dismissed former President Donald Trump's attempt to overturn the ruling that found him liable for sexually assaulting writer E. Jean Carroll and defaming her. This decision, noted by The Guardian, keeps the civil judgment intact.
In an unsigned and unexplained order, the court placed Trump's request in the "denied reconsideration requests" category alongside other petitions. Thus, the jury's May 2023 decision, which imposed a civil penalty of five million dollars, remains final and cannot be contested.
Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "We are pleased that the Supreme Court has once again declined to hear this case. As a result, the jury's unanimous verdict that Donald Trump assaulted and then defamed E. Jean Carroll is now conclusive and beyond legal challenge."
The funds have already been transferred to Carroll. Following an initial denial of Trump's appeal by the Supreme Court, a Manhattan federal judge directed the release of the funds that Trump had placed in a court account shortly after the original verdict. Carroll received approximately 5.6 million dollars, including accrued interest.
The case traces back to Carroll's allegations that Trump attacked her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in New York during the mid-1990s. Carroll disclosed the accusation in June 2019 through an excerpt from her memoir, prompting Trump to deny the incident and question her credibility, which led to defamation lawsuits. A two-week civil trial resulted in a federal jury finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation.
Ongoing Legal Battles
In December 2024, a panel from the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan affirmed the previous verdict. However, Trump's legal troubles with Carroll are not yet over. In January 2024, a separate federal jury ordered Trump to pay 83.3 million dollars for defamation related to comments made about Carroll in 2019.
The Supreme Court has yet to decide whether it will review the 83.3 million-dollar case. Carroll's response is due by August 31, 2026, and the Supreme Court is expected to announce later this year if it will take up the matter.
Trump's legal saga is unparalleled for a former U.S. president in modern history. By 2023, he faced four concurrent criminal charges, and in 2024, he made history as the first former president convicted on criminal charges in a case involving falsified records in Manhattan.
Although federal cases were dismissed following his reelection, Trump has also filed numerous lawsuits against various media outlets and entities. The White House has not yet commented on the Supreme Court's decision. The next significant development in the Carroll case will be the Supreme Court's ruling on the 83.3 million-dollar appeal, expected by the end of 2026.
FAQs on Trump's Legal Challenges
What was the Supreme Court's decision regarding Trump's appeal?
The Supreme Court denied Trump's appeal to overturn the ruling that found him liable for assaulting and defaming E. Jean Carroll, maintaining the five million-dollar civil judgment.
What is the status of the additional 83.3 million-dollar defamation case?
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to review the separate 83.3 million-dollar defamation case. Carroll's response is due by August 31, 2026.