The United States Supreme Court has declined to hear President Donald Trump’s appeal seeking to overturn a jury verdict that found him liable for sexually assaulting and defaming writer and former columnist E. Jean Carroll.
The decision leaves in place a $5 million judgment awarded to Carroll by a federal jury in New York.
The Supreme Court issued its decision as part of a list of routine orders and did not provide any explanation for declining to review the case, which is common practice when the court refuses to hear an appeal.
Background of the Case
The case stems from allegations made by E. Jean Carroll, who stated in a book published in 2019 that Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a New York department store in 1996.
Trump denied the allegation and publicly rejected Carroll’s claims.
Following a civil trial, a federal jury in Manhattan ruled on May 9, 2023, that Trump was liable for sexually assaulting Carroll and for defaming her through statements he made in 2022 after she publicly accused him.
The jury awarded Carroll $2 million in damages related to the sexual assault claim and $3 million for defamation, bringing the total compensation to $5 million.
That judgment was previously upheld by a federal appeals court before Trump sought review by the Supreme Court.
Trump Criticizes the Decision
Reacting to the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear the appeal, President Trump strongly criticized the ruling in a post on social media.
He reiterated that he had never met Carroll and described the case as politically motivated.
Trump also vowed to continue challenging what he characterized as the “weaponization” of the legal system and said he would fight the case “with all of my power and strength.”
His comments reflect his longstanding position that the civil lawsuits brought against him are politically driven, while Carroll has maintained that the jury’s verdict validates her claims.
Carroll’s Legal Team Welcomes the Ruling
Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, saying it effectively brings Trump’s legal challenge to an end.
According to Kaplan, the court’s action leaves intact the unanimous jury verdict that found Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation.
She said multiple appeals filed by Trump had now been unsuccessful and described the decision as the conclusion of his efforts to overturn the judgment.
Separate Defamation Award
In a separate civil defamation case involving Carroll, another federal jury previously ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million in damages for additional defamatory statements made after the original lawsuit.
That judgment has also been upheld on appeal.
The two civil cases are legally distinct but both relate to Trump’s public comments denying Carroll’s allegations.
Reports of Justice Department Investigation
Separately, several US media outlets have reported that the US Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation involving Carroll.
According to reports by CNN and The New York Times, investigators are examining whether Carroll made false statements under oath during depositions connected to the civil lawsuits.
The reports state that prosecutors are reviewing testimony in which Carroll said she had not received outside financial support, while later information indicated that billionaire Reid Hoffman had contributed toward some of her legal expenses.
The reported investigation has not resulted in any publicly announced charges. US authorities have not released further official details regarding the inquiry.
The Supreme Court’s decision means the original $5 million civil judgment against President Trump remains in effect, bringing another chapter of the long-running legal dispute to a close, while separate legal matters connected to the case continue to draw public attention.
