Former President Donald Trump has completed payment of $5.6 million in damages owed to writer E. Jean Carroll, following a landmark verdict in 2023 that established his financial liability for sexually assaulting her. This long-standing case has faced multiple legal twists, culminating in a recent decision by the Supreme Court to reject Trump’s request for a reassessment of the jury’s ruling.
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On 17 August 2023, the Supreme Court confirmed that it would not entertain Trump’s appeal aimed at overturning the previous verdict. No explanations were provided for the court’s decision, and notably, there were no dissenting opinions noted in the announcement. The jury’s unanimous finding against Trump, which stated that he sexually assaulted Carroll in the 1990s, is now final and cannot be challenged in any judicial capacity.
E. Jean Carroll, who is now 82 years old, initially disclosed her allegations against Trump in her 2019 book titled *What Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal.* In her account, Carroll accused Trump of forcing her against a wall in a dressing room at the luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman in New York City before proceeding to rape her. Trump has consistently denied these allegations, claiming he had never met Carroll and dismissing her as “not my type,” despite photographic evidence suggesting otherwise.
Following her allegations, Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump in 2019, with a subsequent claim in 2022 under New York’s Adult Survivors Act. This legislation allows survivors of sexual assault to file claims beyond the usual statute of limitations within a one-year period. Carroll’s 2022 lawsuit included both battery and defamation claims stemming from comments Trump made on social media, which further complicated the legal proceedings.
In May 2023, a civil trial resulted in a jury ruling that Trump was liable for sexually abusing Carroll and also concluded that she had been defamed by him. Although the jury’s finding of liability was less severe than a rape verdict, it affirmed Carroll’s experiences and allegations.
Trump has spent the months since the verdict contesting the jury’s ruling, attempting to appeal the decision. His initial effort was met with refusal from the Supreme Court in June. Following the payment in July of the damages owed, Trump sought a further reconsideration of the high court’s decision, which ultimately resulted in the latest dismissal of his request.
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney from Kaplan Martin LLP, expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision not to revisit the case. She stated, “As a result, the jury’s unanimous verdict that Donald Trump sexually assaulted and then defamed E. Jean Carroll is now final and cannot be challenged in any court.”
In addition to the $5.6 million awarded, Trump is still pursuing options related to a separate jury verdict from 2024, which holds him liable for a further $83 million in the defamation lawsuit from 2019. This ongoing legal battle indicates that Trump’s legal troubles stemming from his interactions with Carroll may not be over.
This case has highlighted broader discussions surrounding sexual violence and defamation, illustrating the complexities that often ensue when high-profile figures are accused. As developments continue to unfold regarding Trump’s legal standings and Carroll’s case, it remains a poignant reminder of the challenges many survivors face in their pursuit of justice.
For individuals affected by sexual assault, various organisations provide resources and support, including the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which can be reached at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or via the website rainn.org.