The United States Supreme Court has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal for a second time, 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 lawyers argued that the trial was unfair, but the court declined to reconsider its decision from June.
Separately, the justices are also considering Trump’s appeal of an $83.3 million jury verdict for defaming Carroll during his presidency. Trump’s legal team claims that presidential immunity protects him from Carroll’s allegations and that lower courts erred in ruling against this defense.
The legal battle between Trump and Carroll dates back to 2019 when Carroll accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s. Trump has consistently denied these claims, calling them a hoax. The $5 million verdict stemmed from Trump’s statements in 2022, where he dismissed Carroll’s allegations as a “hoax” and a “con job” on social media.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision in June, Carroll received nearly $5.63 million from Trump, including the original $5 million civil verdict plus interest. Trump’s lawyers have raised the issue of presidential immunity, arguing that it could impact both the $83.3 million verdict and the earlier $5 million ruling. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that former presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during their presidency, though the Carroll cases are civil lawsuits.