U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Trump’s Appeal in E. Jean Carroll Civil Case
The Supreme Court of the United States declined Monday to hear President Donald Trump’s appeal of a $5 million civil judgment arising from a lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. The decision leaves in place a 2023 federal jury verdict finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation under New York civil law.
As is customary in most cases involving petitions for review, the Supreme Court did not explain its decision or issue written opinions. A denial of review does not indicate agreement or disagreement with the lower court’s ruling; it simply allows that judgment to remain in effect.
The lawsuit centered on Carroll’s allegation that Trump sexually assaulted her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump denied the allegation, and a federal jury ultimately found him liable for sexual abuse and for defaming Carroll through public statements denying her claims. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.
Trump’s legal team asked the Supreme Court to review the case, arguing that the trial was unfair because jurors heard testimony from two other women who accused Trump of prior misconduct, as well as the 2005 “Access Hollywood” recording. His attorneys contended that this evidence was improperly admitted and unfairly prejudiced the jury.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit previously upheld the verdict, concluding that the trial judge acted within his discretion when admitting the challenged evidence and that any potential errors did not affect the outcome.
Trump has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations, describing them as false and politically motivated. Carroll, meanwhile, has maintained that the jury’s verdict affirmed her account after considering testimony and evidence presented during the trial.
The Supreme Court’s action affects only the $5 million judgment. A separate civil defamation case resulted in an $83.3 million judgment against Trump, which remains under appeal. His legal team continues to challenge that award, raising arguments that include presidential immunity and other legal issues.
The Court’s decision concludes one stage of the litigation while additional legal proceedings related to the separate defamation judgment continue in the federal courts.
