In a repeated rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal, the United States Supreme Court has declined to review 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 request for reconsideration of the 2023 jury verdict, which stemmed from allegations of rape in the 1990s, was turned down by the justices. His legal team argued that the trial was unjust.
The court’s decision, issued without explanation, is uncommon as the Supreme Court rarely entertains requests for reconsideration. Trump is also awaiting a ruling on his appeal of an $83.3 million defamation verdict from 2019, where he denied allegations made by Carroll during his presidency.
Trump’s lawyers maintain that presidential immunity shields him from Carroll’s claims and assert that lower courts erred in ruling against him. The legal battle between Trump and Carroll began when she accused him of rape in a memoir excerpt in 2019. Trump has consistently denied the allegations.
The $5 million verdict was related to Trump’s statements in 2022 where he called Carroll’s claim a “hoax” and a “con job” on social media. The jury found Trump guilty of sexually abusing and defaming Carroll but did not support her claim of rape.
Following the Supreme Court’s denial of Trump’s appeal, Carroll received nearly $5.63 million from Trump, including the original $5 million verdict plus interest. In his rehearing request, Trump’s legal team highlighted the potential impact of the presidential immunity issue on both the $5 million and $83.3 million verdicts.
In a significant 2024 ruling, the Supreme Court established full immunity for former presidents from criminal prosecution for actions taken during their presidency, with the Carroll cases being civil lawsuits.
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