The nation’s highest court issued a brief order on Monday that effectively ends former President Donald Trump’s latest bid to overturn a $5.6 million judgment in the defamation case brought by former magazine writer E. Jean Carroll. The Court declined to grant a rehearing, leaving the lower‑court award intact.
Background of the lawsuit
Carroll first sued Trump in 2019 for defamation after he publicly denied her allegations of sexual assault. In 2022, New York enacted a law allowing victims of sexual abuse to pursue civil claims for historic incidents, prompting Carroll to file a second lawsuit that combined defamation and battery claims. That case went to trial first, and a jury awarded her $5 million in damages.
The earlier 2019 case proceeded to trial after the 2022 case, resulting in an $83 million judgment against Trump. While the $83 million judgment remains pending before the Supreme Court, the $5.6 million award from the 2022 case was already paid by Trump under a lower‑court order. Carroll’s attorneys said they will place the funds in an interest‑bearing account while the petition for rehearing is considered.
Trump’s legal strategy
Trump’s legal team asked the Supreme Court to revisit its June denial of a petition for rehearing, arguing that the trial judge erred by allowing testimony from two other women who alleged sexual assault by Trump and by permitting jurors to hear the 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape in which Trump made vulgar remarks about women. The tape includes the infamous line about “grabbing women by the pussy.”
Both arguments were rejected. The Court’s order noted no dissenting opinions, underscoring the rarity of granting rehearings in such high‑profile cases.
Reactions
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team released a statement asserting that “the American people stand with President Trump as they demand an immediate end to all of the witch hunts, including the Democrat‑funded travesty of the Carroll hoaxes.” The statement framed the decision as part of a broader “liberal law‑fare” campaign.
Carroll’s counsel reiterated that the judgment will be held in an interest‑bearing account until the Supreme Court’s final disposition, emphasizing that the award reflects the jury’s finding that Trump defamed her and committed sexual assault.
Legal context
The Supreme Court’s refusal to rehear the case aligns with its historically limited willingness to intervene in lower‑court rulings absent clear legal error. The Court’s earlier denial of a rehearing in June and the current refusal together close this particular appellate avenue for Trump.
Legal analysts note that while the $5.6 million judgment remains enforceable, the pending $83 million judgment could still be subject to further Supreme Court review, leaving a significant financial exposure for the former president.
What’s next?
With the Supreme Court’s order, the $5.6 million award stands as the final resolution for this portion of the Carroll litigation. The larger $83 million judgment will continue to move through the appellate process, and observers will watch for any further developments that could affect the final outcome.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
