The $83 million question is currently hanging over the legal world: when will E. Jean Carroll actually get her check? While juries have twice ordered Donald Trump to pay up for sexual abuse and defamation, a new wave of appeals means the wait could stretch into late 2027.
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Trump’s legal team officially asked a federal appeals court to pause the judgment. They want to keep the money frozen while they take the case all the way to the Supreme Court. If the court agrees, it could be another year and a half of legal back-and-forth before a single dollar changes hands.
The Strategy: Using the “Westfall Act”
Trump’s main move to dodge the $83 million award is a bit of legal gymnastics involving the Westfall Act. Trump wants the U.S. government to replace him as the defendant in the case. If the government becomes the defendant, the case essentially disappears. Why? Because the U.S. government cannot be sued for defamation.
Trump claims his 2019 denials of Carroll’s accusations were part of his “official duties” as President. So far, lower courts have rejected this, calling it a “waived” defense. But the Justice Department has recently signaled it will ask the Supreme Court to look at this issue, giving Trump a powerful ally in his quest for a delay.
The High Cost of Waiting
E. Jean Carroll’s legal team isn’t exactly thrilled, but they’ve made a calculated move. They told the court they won’t oppose the delay, on one condition. Carroll wants Trump to increase his existing bond by another $7.46 million. This extra cash would cover the interest that will pile up between now and October 2027. Between the first $5 million verdict and the massive $83 million award, Trump is on the hook for nearly $90 million, not including the millions in interest currently ticking away.
A Tale of Two Cases
To understand why this is taking so long, you have to remember there are actually two different defamation battles happening at once:
• The $5 Million Case: A 2023 jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in 1996 and defaming her in 2022. This case is already sitting at the Supreme Court’s doorstep, but the justices have been repeatedly rescheduling their meeting to discuss it.
• The $83 Million Case: This focused specifically on Trump’s 2019 comments while he was still in the White House. This is the one he’s currently trying to freeze using “presidential immunity” and the Westfall Act.
Justice Delayed is Justice… Negotiated?
I’m looking at these court filings, and I have to say: Trump is a master at the “Long Game.” For most people, an $83 million debt would be a life-ending emergency. For him, it’s just another Tuesday at the office of Appeals and Delays.
By dragging this to the Supreme Court, he’s effectively turning a legal defeat into a multi-year waiting game. It’s a bold strategy, essentially betting that the Supreme Court will bail him out or that he can outlast Carroll’s legal team.
What’s wild is the Justice Department’s involvement. Seeing the government step in to help a President argue that insulting a citizen is an “official act” feels like a stretch, to put it mildly. Carroll’s team is smart to ask for that extra $7 million in interest, though. If she has to wait until 2027 to see a dime, she might as well make sure Trump pays for the “convenience” of the delay. At this rate, the interest alone could buy a few small islands.
If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, will they side with “Presidential Immunity” or will they finally let the jury’s verdict stand?
