The United States Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump’s appeal for a second time on Monday, upholding a $5 million verdict in favor of E. Jean Carroll. The jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming the former magazine columnist. Trump’s legal team argued that the trial was unfair, but the court’s order was final with no explanation provided.
Additionally, the justices are currently considering Trump’s appeal of an $83.3 million jury verdict from 2019 for defaming Carroll during his presidency. Trump’s lawyers claim that presidential immunity protects him from Carroll’s allegations and contend that lower courts erred in ruling against this defense.
The ongoing legal battle dates back to 2019 when Carroll accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s. Trump has consistently denied these claims, calling them a “hoax” and a “con job.” While the $5 million verdict did not specifically find Trump guilty of rape, it did determine that he had sexually abused and defamed Carroll based on his public statements.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Carroll received nearly $5.63 million from Trump, which included the original $5 million verdict plus interest. Trump’s lawyers have raised concerns about the impact of presidential immunity on these cases, citing a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that former presidents are immune from criminal prosecution for actions taken while in office. However, the Carroll cases are civil lawsuits and not subject to the same immunity protections.