A federal judge has dismissed former President Donald Trump’s attempt to postpone the payment of over £5 million to E. Jean Carroll, a writer who accused him of sexual assault and defamation. The ruling, issued by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, comes in the wake of a jury verdict that found Trump liable for these allegations.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/donald-trump-e-jean-carroll-052826-6b6e662ce22547cda5418aa90bf1bf5c.jpg)
On 8 June, the appellate court denied Trump’s motion for an administrative stay, which sought to delay the release of funds to Carroll, including interest accrued during the time the amount has been held in a court-controlled account. This ruling follows the United States Supreme Court’s decision not to hear Trump’s appeal regarding the 2023 jury verdict.
Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan stated in his memorandum that the jury’s decision was clear and that the plaintiff is entitled to the damages awarded. He noted that “a jury unanimously concluded that [Trump] sexually abused and defamed [Carroll] and awarded her damages accordingly.” The judge’s comments reflect frustrations over what he termed as significant delays caused by Trump’s legal team throughout the course of the case.
Trump’s lawyers contended that any delay in payment would only be temporary and could be compensated through interest. Their position emphasised that maintaining the status quo during the ongoing appeal was crucial. However, they raised concerns that once the funds were distributed, they might be lost to Carroll’s potential charitable intentions.
In response to the ruling, a spokesperson for Trump’s legal team expressed confidence in the former president’s position and his ongoing fight against what they described as “Witch Hunts.” The statement claimed that the “American People stand with President Trump” and called for an end to what they believe are politically motivated legal actions.
E. Jean Carroll first brought her allegations against Trump to public attention in her 2019 book, “What Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal.” In November 2022, she sued him for battery and defamation under New York’s Adult Survivors Act. Carroll alleged that Trump assaulted her in a department store dressing room, an accusation the former president vehemently denied, claiming he had never met her.
The legal battle concluded with a civil jury ruling Trump liable for sexual abuse, a classification that, while serious, is distinct from the charge of rape. Carroll has been vocal about her fight for justice, and her persistence has highlighted broader discussions about accountability for sexual misconduct in powerful positions.
As the case progresses, the legal teams for Trump and Carroll are expected to continue their disputes in an arena that has captured public attention and sparked debate about the implications of high-profile sexual assault allegations.
For those affected by sexual violence, support is available. The National Sexual Assault Hotline offers confidential assistance at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), with resources accessible through RAINN’s website.