The United States Supreme Court has once again rejected President Donald Trump’s appeal regarding a $5 million US verdict in favor of E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual abuse and defamation. The court declined Trump’s request for a rehearing following a previous decision in June that upheld the 2023 jury verdict. Trump’s legal team argued that the trial was unfair.
In a separate case, the justices are also considering Trump’s appeal of an $83.3 million US jury verdict for defaming Carroll during his presidency. Trump’s lawyers claim that presidential immunity should protect him from Carroll’s allegations and argue that lower courts erred in ruling otherwise.
The legal battle between Trump and Carroll began in 2019 when Carroll accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s. Trump has consistently denied the allegations, calling them a “hoax” and a “con job.” While the jury found Trump liable for defamation and sexual abuse in the $5 million US case, they did not conclude that he had raped Carroll as she alleged.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Carroll received nearly $5.63 million US from Trump, including the original $5 million US verdict plus interest. Trump’s lawyers have raised concerns that the issue of presidential immunity in the $83.3 million US case could impact the previous verdict. The Supreme Court previously ruled that former presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during their presidency, although the Carroll cases are civil lawsuits.
