The United States Supreme Court has once again rejected an appeal by U.S. President Donald Trump, 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.
The Supreme Court’s decision, released without explanation, marks the second time Trump’s appeal has been denied. The court rarely grants requests for reconsideration. Additionally, the justices are considering Trump’s appeal of an $83.3 million defamation verdict in a separate case involving Carroll.
Trump has been in a legal battle with Carroll since she accused him of raping her in the 1990s. Trump denied the allegations and claimed Carroll lied about the incidents. In the $5 million verdict case, jurors determined that Trump had defamed and sexually abused Carroll but did not find evidence to support her claim of rape.
Following the Supreme Court’s rejection of Trump’s appeal, Carroll received nearly $5.63 million from Trump, including interest. Trump’s lawyers have argued that the issue of presidential immunity, particularly in the $83.3 million verdict case, could impact the previous ruling. The Supreme Court had previously ruled in 2024 that former presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken during their tenure, though the Carroll cases are civil lawsuits.