Supreme Court Lets E. Jean Carroll’s $5 Million Verdict Against Trump Stand
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 29
Supreme Court Lets E. Jean Carroll’s $5 Million Verdict Against Trump Stand
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jun 29
Summary
June 29’s order left intact a 2023 jury verdict finding Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, forcing him to pay $5 million.
Trump had asked the justices to intervene on the ground that a sitting president should not be distracted by defending decades-old personal allegations while in office.
The appeal also challenged trial evidence, including testimony from two other women and the 2005 “Access Hollywood” recording, but the 2nd Circuit had already ruled any error did not affect Trump’s substantial rights.
The refusal marks a limit to a court often receptive to Trump in presidency-related disputes, because this was his first Supreme Court appeal since returning to office on a personal legal matter.
Carroll still holds a separate $83.3 million defamation judgment against Trump, and his lawyers have said they are preparing a Supreme Court appeal in that case.
What does this case mean for future civil suits against powerful individuals for past conduct?
If an accuser faces a perjury probe, could it unravel a multi-million dollar civil verdict?
Supreme Court’s Refusal on Trump’s Appeal Finalizes $95 Million Carroll Judgment, Redefines Presidential Civil Liability
Overview
As of June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly postponed its decision on Donald Trump’s appeal in the E. Jean Carroll civil case, delaying a final order for an unprecedented 15 times since February. This ongoing deferral has allowed Trump to avoid paying the substantial judgment awarded to Carroll, who had accused him of sexual assault in the 1990s. A New York jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, initially awarding Carroll $5 million. The Supreme Court’s lack of explanation for these delays has drawn scrutiny, highlighting concerns about transparency and accountability in high-profile cases.