The United States Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump’s appeal of a $5 million verdict in favor of E. Jean Carroll for sexual abuse and defamation. Trump’s legal team argued that the trial was unfair, but the court declined to reconsider its previous decision denying his appeal of the 2023 jury verdict. The Supreme Court rarely grants requests for reconsideration, and the recent order provided no explanation.
In addition to this case, the justices are also considering Trump’s appeal of an $83.3 million defamation verdict from 2019. Trump’s lawyers claim that presidential immunity protects him from Carroll’s claims and argue that lower courts erred in ruling against this defense.
E. Jean Carroll, a former advice columnist, accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s, which he denied. The $5 million verdict stemmed from Trump’s statements in 2022 calling Carroll’s claim a “hoax” and a “con job” on social media. Although the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, they did not conclude that he had raped Carroll.
After the Supreme Court’s denial of Trump’s appeal, Carroll received nearly $5.63 million from Trump, representing the original $5 million civil verdict plus interest. Trump’s lawyers raised concerns that the issue of presidential immunity in the $83.3 million verdict could impact the previous ruling. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that former presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during their presidency, but the Carroll cases are civil lawsuits.