The Supreme Court on Monday declined for a second time to take up President Donald Trump’s bid to overturn a jury verdict that awarded $5 million to writer E. Jean Carroll for alleged sexual abuse and defamation.
In an unusual move, the president had asked the court to reconsider its decision from June that rejected Trump’s initial appeal. The court almost never grants such requests.
Trump has already turned over the $5 million, plus interest.
The case arose from a federal lawsuit Carroll filed in New York City alleging that Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a department store in 1996. The defamation claims relate to statements he made about her after his first term in office, in which he described her claims as a “con job” and “hoax.”
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has said he does not know Carroll.
The Second Appeal
The Supreme Court’s decision to reject Trump’s request for reconsideration is notable because the court almost never grants such “rehearing” petitions. The move represents a final legal defeat for Trump in this specific case.
Trump has a separate appeal at the Supreme Court concerning a different defamation case in which Carroll won an $83 million judgment. That case concerns comments Trump made as president during his first term and has been tied up in litigation over whether he can claim immunity. The court is not set to act on that appeal until later this year.
The Carroll Cases
E. Jean Carroll, a former advice columnist, first sued Trump in 2019 after he denied her allegations of sexual assault and accused her of lying. She filed a second lawsuit after Trump made additional comments about her in 2022.
In the first case, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million. In the second case, a jury awarded Carroll $83 million for defamation. Trump has appealed both verdicts.
The $5 million judgment has been paid. The $83 million judgment remains tied up in litigation over whether Trump can claim immunity for statements he made while president.
The Bottom Line
The Supreme Court has rejected President Trump’s rare second attempt to block a $5 million jury award to E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual abuse and defamation. The court had previously declined to hear Trump’s initial appeal. Trump has already paid the $5 million. A separate $83 million defamation judgment against Trump is still pending appeal.
