Trump Must Pay E. Jean Carroll $5 Million After Supreme Court Rejects His Appeal
Sandego.net – On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to hear Donald Trump’s appeal against a $5 million verdict that found him guilty of sexual abuse and defamation in a case involving E. Jean Carroll, a prominent magazine writer. This decision marks the end of Trump’s legal challenge to the ruling, leaving him obligated to fulfill the judgment. The court’s rejection of his appeal means the president will now have to compensate Carroll for the alleged harm caused by his actions.
Two Lawsuits, Two Verdicts
The case against Trump began in 2019 when Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit, alleging that the president had falsely claimed she invented the story of a sexual encounter to enhance her book sales. She later pursued a second lawsuit in 2022, which added the claim of sexual battery after New York’s legislature passed a law enabling victims to pursue civil claims for past incidents of abuse. The 2022 trial, which came first, resulted in a $5 million award for Carroll, while the 2019 case, which followed, led to an $83 million judgment. Combined with interest, the total amount Trump owes Carroll exceeds $100 million.
Carroll’s 2022 lawsuit centered on an incident she described as occurring in a New York department store in the mid-1990s, during which she claimed Trump sexually assaulted her and later defamed her by dismissing her account as fabricated. The jury, after deliberating, agreed with her testimony and awarded the damages. The 2019 trial, however, focused on a broader narrative, culminating in a larger judgment. Both cases have been central to the legal battles over Trump’s alleged conduct, with the Supreme Court now affirming the outcomes.
Trump’s Legal Defense and Appeal Challenges
Trump, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, argued that the trial judge made critical errors in allowing evidence from two women who accused him of sexual assault years prior. He also contested the inclusion of the “Access Hollywood” tape, a 2005 recording where he famously said, “You know I’m automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them. It’s like a magnet. Just kiss. I don’t even wait. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything, … Grab them by the pussy. You can do anything,” during the 2022 trial. This audio, which was pivotal in establishing a pattern of behavior, was submitted as evidence to support Carroll’s claims.
Carroll’s legal team, led by Roberta Kaplan, emphasized the significance of the Supreme Court’s ruling. “Today’s decision confirms the jury’s verdict that Trump sexually assaulted and defamed E. Jean Carroll,” Kaplan stated. “All of his attempts to overturn this ruling have failed, and this marks the end of his efforts to evade responsibility.” The lawyer’s remarks underscore the weight of the verdict, which Trump has sought to undermine through multiple appeals.
Trump’s legal representatives have also criticized the judicial process, arguing that the court’s focus on his past actions has diverted attention from his current responsibilities as president. In a January filing to the Supreme Court, they described the proceedings as a “mistreatment of a President” that cannot be allowed to continue. “It is damaging to the republic for Trump to shift his focus from his duties as chief executive to a decade-old case filled with false allegations,” the filing claimed.
Supreme Court’s Role and the Appeal Timeline
The Supreme Court’s role in the case has been to review whether the lower court’s decisions were justified. Last year, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the $5 million verdict, ruling that Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the 2022 trial, did not commit errors warranting a new trial. Trump then sought a review of the appeal by the full bench of judges, but the request was denied in June 2025. Months later, he petitioned the Supreme Court, which has been slow to act. The court repeatedly postponed its discussion of the appeal without providing clear explanations for the delays.
Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump’s attorneys plan to challenge the $83 million verdict from the 2019 trial in the coming days. They argue that the legal standards applied in that case were flawed, though the 2nd Circuit has already affirmed the ruling. The court’s unanimous decision in the 2022 case highlighted that the judges found the evidence against Trump sufficient to meet the “preponderance of the evidence” standard, meaning it was more likely than not that he committed the alleged acts.
Carroll’s legal team, however, focused on the 2nd Circuit’s ruling in their technical brief to the Supreme Court. They noted that the panel of three judges, all appointed by Democratic presidents, concluded that the jury had the right to consider the evidence. “The court’s duty was to determine if the jury could reasonably conclude that Trump’s actions were sexual assault,” the judges wrote. “If the evidence met that threshold, the court had the discretion to admit it.” This reasoning has been used to defend the verdict against Trump’s claims of judicial bias.
Financial Implications and Immediate Actions
While the Supreme Court’s ruling on the $5 million verdict is final, the $83 million judgment from the 2019 case remains under appeal. Trump has already taken steps to address the financial burden by transferring $5.5 million to a court-controlled account in 2023, which Carroll’s team expects will be distributed to her promptly. The payment is seen as a proactive move to mitigate the damages, though it does not settle the full amount owed.
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, has remained a vocal advocate for her client, emphasizing the importance of holding Trump accountable. “This decision demonstrates that the legal system has recognized the validity of E. Jean Carroll’s claims,” she said. “It is a victory for justice and a testament to the jury’s judgment.” Meanwhile, Trump’s legal team has continued to frame the case as part of a broader “Witch Hunt” against the president, with a statement from the spokesman highlighting the Democratic Party’s alleged role in the proceedings. “The American People stand with President Trump as they demand an end to the Democrat-funded travesty of the Carroll Hoaxes,” the statement asserted.
The case has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over accountability for public figures. With the Supreme Court’s decision, the spotlight shifts to the remaining $83 million verdict, which Trump’s attorneys aim to challenge. Whether the president’s efforts will succeed remains uncertain, but the ruling has solidified the legal foundation for Carroll’s claims. As the case moves forward, it will continue to shape perceptions of justice and the role of the judiciary in high-profile political disputes.
Carroll’s lawyer could not be reached for comment immediately following the Supreme Court’s decision. The case has, however, sparked renewed discussions about the impact of sexual abuse allegations on public figures and the mechanisms through which victims seek redress. With the verdict affirmed, the president’s ability to escape financial liability for his actions appears to be diminishing, even as his legal team prepares for the next phase of the battle.
The story was updated with additional details to reflect the latest developments in the case.
