A U.S. District Judge has ordered Donald Trump to pay writer E. Jean Carroll approximately $5.8 million, releasing funds that had been held in escrow after a jury found the former president liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The ruling by Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan follows years of legal battles and comes after Trump’s efforts to delay the payment were rejected by the courts.
The $5.8 million includes the original $5 million jury award from 2023 along with roughly $800,000 in accrued interest. Although Trump had deposited the money during the appeals process, Carroll was unable to access the funds until Judge Kaplan ordered their release, stating that the defendant had stalled the case for years and it was time to “do equity” by enforcing the judgment.
E. Jean Carroll Lawsuit Against Donald Trump Explained
The legal saga began after E. Jean Carroll, now 82, publicly accused Donald Trump of assaulting her in a luxury department store dressing room in Manhattan around 1996.
The allegations first surfaced in a memoir published by Carroll in 2019, while Trump was serving his first term as President of the United States. According to testimony, a friendly chance encounter between the two turned violent, leading to the sexual abuse.
Throughout the proceedings, Donald Trump vehemently denied the allegations, describing them as a “hoax” and a “con job.” He claimed he had never known Ms. Carroll and famously asserted in interviews that she was “not my type.” His legal team has consistently argued that the accusations were politically motivated and intended to boost book sales.
The legal outcome has been divided into two primary civil actions:
- The 2023 Civil Verdict: A jury found that Trump had sexually abused and defamed Carroll. While the jury did not find that he committed rape in the strictest legal sense, they awarded $5 million in damages for the abuse and defamatory statements.
- The 2024 Defamation Trial: A separate Manhattan jury ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million in damages. This trial focused on defamatory comments Trump made about Carroll while he was President, after she had gone public with her story.
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The Role of the US Supreme Court in the Appeals Process
The recent order by Judge Kaplan comes after a critical failure in Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn the original verdict. The US Supreme Court previously declined to hear Trump’s appeal against the 2023 civil judgment. Notably, none of the nine justices—including three appointed by Trump—registered any dissents regarding the decision not to take the case.
Despite the Supreme Court’s refusal, Trump’s legal team attempted to block the transfer of funds. They argued that the payment should be delayed until the Supreme Court reviewed a renewed petition to reconsider the verdict.
Trump’s lawyers expressed concern that Ms. Carroll intended to give the money away, which would result in an “unrecoverable loss” if the verdict were eventually overturned. They further claimed that immediate payment would “undermine public confidence in an orderly judicial process” and cited concerns regarding the “weaponisation of the legal system.”
However, these arguments failed to hold weight in the appellate courts. A judge of the US Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the request to halt the transfer of funds. Carroll’s legal team emphasized that she had already waited more than three years for the jury’s verdict to be paid and that the legal proceedings needed to reach a conclusion.
Legal Arguments and Political Claims of ‘Witch Hunts’
The defense for Donald Trump has maintained a narrative of political persecution. Following Judge Kaplan’s order to release the $5.8 million, a spokesperson for the president stated, “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.”
Beyond the current $5.8 million payment, Trump continues to fight the much larger $83.3 million defamation verdict. His legal team is pursuing a claim of presidential immunity, arguing that the defamatory statements made while he was in the White House are protected from civil liability.
While the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals declined to throw out the $83.3 million verdict in September, Trump continues to signal his intention to bring this specific issue before the Supreme Court.
What Judge Kaplan’s Ruling Means for Donald Trump
For E. Jean Carroll and her legal team, the order to release the funds represents a victory for accountability. By granting the disbursement of the $5 million plus interest, the court has acknowledged that the endless cycle of appeals cannot be used as a tool to indefinitely delay the fulfillment of a jury’s judgment.
The case highlights the complexities of civil litigation involving high-profile political figures, particularly regarding the intersection of presidential immunity and personal liability for defamation. As the court moves forward, the focus remains on whether the remaining $83.3 million judgment will eventually be upheld or if the Supreme Court will intervene in the second phase of the litigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is E. Jean Carroll being paid in the recent court order?
A federal judge has ordered that E. Jean Carroll be paid approximately $5.8 million. This amount consists of the original $5 million damages awarded by a jury in 2023, plus roughly $800,000 in interest that accrued while the funds were held in escrow.
Why did the judge order the payment now?
Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that Donald Trump had been stalling the case for several years. After the US Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal against the original verdict, the judge determined it was time for the judgment to be executed.
What were the original allegations made by E. Jean Carroll?
E. Jean Carroll accused Donald Trump of sexually abusing her in a dressing room at a luxury department store in Manhattan around 1996. She first detailed these events publicly in a 2019 memoir.
Did Donald Trump admit to the abuse?
No. Donald Trump has consistently denied the allegations, calling them a “hoax” and a “con job.” He has repeatedly claimed that he did not know Ms. Carroll and that the lawsuit was politically motivated.
Is there another lawsuit between E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump?
Yes. In addition to the 2023 case, a separate jury in January 2024 awarded Ms. Carroll $83.3 million in damages for defamation based on statements Trump made about her while he was President.
Can Donald Trump still appeal the $83.3 million verdict?
Yes, Donald Trump is currently appealing the $83.3 million verdict. His lawyers are arguing for presidential immunity regarding the statements he made during his first term in office.
