The US Supreme Court on Monday, June 29, declined to hear an appeal from President Donald Trump over a $5 million verdict finding that he sexually abused and defamed columnist E. Jean Carroll. The decision means Trump must now pay the judgment.
Background of the Lawsuits
Carroll sued Trump in 2019 for defamation, and again in 2022 for defamation and battery after New York enacted a law allowing sexual abuse victims to file civil claims for past incidents. The 2022 case went to trial first, resulting in a $5 million jury award. The 2019 case later produced an $83 million judgment. Including interest, Trump owes Carroll over $100 million.
Supreme Court Ruling
The high court's denial leaves the $5 million verdict intact. Carroll's lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, said: “Today’s Supreme Court decision affirms once and for all the jury’s unanimous verdict that President Donald J. Trump sexually assaulted and defamed E. Jean Carroll. His multiple efforts to appeal that verdict have all failed and today’s ruling ends his quest to avoid accountability for his actions.”
Trump's Defense and Arguments
Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. His legal team argued that U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan erred by allowing testimony from two other women alleging sexual assault and by permitting the jury to see the 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape, in which Trump 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.”
A spokesman for Trump’s legal team said: “The American People stand with President Trump as they demand an immediate end to all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded travesty of the Carroll Hoaxes. President Trump will keep winning against Liberal Lawfare, as he continues to focus on his mission to Make America Great Again.”
Appeals Process
Last year, the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the $5 million verdict, ruling the trial judge did not commit reversible errors. In June 2025, Trump lost a bid for a full bench review, and later appealed to the Supreme Court. Trump's attorneys argued: “It is deeply damaging to the fabric of our republic for President Trump, in the midst of a historic presidency, to have to take his focus away from his singular and unique duties as chief executive to continue fighting against decades-old, false allegations.”
The Supreme Court delayed consideration for months before denying the appeal without explanation. Trump’s attorneys are expected to appeal the $83 million verdict soon.
Payment and Impact
Trump deposited $5.5 million into a court-controlled account in 2023 following the jury verdict, so Carroll is likely to receive the funds quickly. The 2nd Circuit panel, all Democratic appointees, ruled unanimously: “The court’s duty was simply to decide whether a jury could reasonably find by a preponderance of the evidence that Mr. Trump committed an act of sexual assault. If it could so find, the court had the discretion to admit the evidence.”
