US Supreme Court Upholds $5 Million Judgment Against Trump in Carroll Case
Supreme Court Decision on Trump's Appeal
On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States opted not to review President Donald Trump's appeal regarding the $5 million civil judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll. This decision maintains the jury's ruling that found Trump responsible for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, a prominent columnist. The court's choice effectively concludes Trump's efforts to contest the May 2023 verdict, which mandated him to compensate Carroll approximately $5 million after a federal jury determined he had sexually assaulted her in a department store dressing room during the mid-1990s and subsequently defamed her by publicly denying the allegations. As is standard practice, the Supreme Court did not elaborate on its reasons for declining the case.
Jury's Findings Against Trump
The civil trial took place in a federal court in New York, conducted under the state's Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily permitted victims of sexual abuse to file lawsuits for claims that were decades old. After hearing testimonies from both Carroll and Trump, the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, although they did not find him guilty of rape under New York law. The jury awarded Carroll around $2 million for the sexual abuse claim and nearly $3 million for defamation, totaling approximately $5 million.
Rejection of Trump's Appeal
Trump contested the verdict, asserting that the trial court improperly allowed certain evidence, including testimonies from other women who accused him of sexual misconduct and the notorious "Access Hollywood" tape. His legal team also challenged various procedural decisions and sought a retrial. However, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit upheld the verdict, stating that the trial was conducted fairly and that the evidence in question was appropriately admitted. Following this setback, Trump appealed to the Supreme Court, which ultimately chose not to hear the case, thereby allowing the lower court's ruling to remain in effect.
Additional Defamation Case
The Supreme Court's decision pertains solely to the $5 million civil judgment. Trump is also facing a separate ruling that requires him to pay $83.3 million to Carroll in another defamation case linked to statements he made in 2019 after she publicly accused him of sexual assault. This case is still undergoing legal proceedings.
Details of Carroll's Allegations
Carroll has accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the dressing room of the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan during the mid-1990s after they crossed paths while shopping. Trump has consistently denied these allegations, asserting that he never assaulted Carroll and claiming he does not know her. He has repeatedly labeled the accusations as false and politically motivated. Carroll expressed satisfaction with the jury's original verdict as a form of accountability, while Trump's legal team has continued to challenge the rulings and deny any wrongdoing.
Implications of the Supreme Court's Ruling
The Supreme Court's decision not to hear the appeal preserves the jury's findings and represents another legal defeat for Trump in one of the most prominent civil cases against him. By declining to review the case, the Second Circuit's affirmation of the verdict stands as the final decision on the $5 million judgment, effectively concluding this chapter of the protracted legal battle.