The United States Supreme Court rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal for the second time, upholding a $5 million verdict in favor of E. Jean Carroll. The jury had found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming the former magazine columnist. Trump’s lawyers argued that the trial was unfair, but the justices declined to reconsider their previous decision from June.
In addition to this case, the court is also considering Trump’s appeal of an $83.3 million jury verdict for defaming Carroll during his presidency. Trump’s legal team contends that presidential immunity should shield him from Carroll’s claims and that lower courts erred in ruling against him.
The dispute between Trump and Carroll dates back to 2019 when Carroll alleged in her memoir that Trump had raped her in the 1990s. Trump has consistently denied these allegations, calling them a “hoax” and a “con job.” The $5 million verdict stemmed from Trump’s statements in 2022, where he dismissed Carroll’s claims on social media.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision in June, Carroll received nearly $5.63 million from Trump, which included the original $5 million verdict plus interest. Trump’s lawyers have raised concerns about how the issue of presidential immunity could impact both the $83.3 million verdict and the earlier $5 million ruling.
Notably, a 2024 Supreme Court decision established that former presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during their tenure. However, the cases involving Carroll are civil lawsuits and not criminal proceedings.