A federal judge has ordered the release of more than $5 million to E. Jean Carroll, rejecting President Donald Trump's attempt to delay paying the former magazine columnist whom a jury found he sexually abused and defamed.
Judge Rejects Delay Request
The ruling from U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan on Wednesday clears the way for Carroll to receive nearly $5.8 million, including accumulated interest, from the court registry. Trump had asked Kaplan not to release the money until the Supreme Court decides whether it will reconsider his petition to challenge the jury's finding.
Trump immediately filed a notice with the court that he will appeal Kaplan's decision to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Legal Team Responds
A spokesman for Trump's legal team said in a statement, “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.”
Arguments for Delay
Trump's attorneys previously argued that waiting until the Supreme Court rules on his motion for reconsideration would not harm Carroll but would cause “irreparable harm” to the president. “Plaintiff faces only temporary delay, fully compensable by interest, unless judgment is overturned on appeal. That has been the status quo throughout the appellate process in this case, and it must remain so pending resolution of the petition for rehearing,” his lawyers wrote in the court filing.
They added, “President Trump, however, faces unrecoverable loss: Plaintiff has repeatedly stated that she intends to give away all funds that she collects from him, and once those funds are distributed to third parties, they likely cannot be recovered.”
Carroll's Request
Carroll's lawyers asked the judge to release the cash after the Supreme Court denied Trump's petition to challenge the jury's verdict. Following that denial, Trump filed a motion with the Supreme Court for a rehearing.
Background of the Case
The case involves one of two lawsuits Carroll brought against Trump. Trump has stated he will also ask the Supreme Court to review a separate jury award of $83 million to Carroll after finding that he defamed her through statements made in 2022. He has until the end of the month to file that petition.
