Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Refuses Trump’s Appeal, Prompting Carroll’s Push for Payment
7/2/2026, 2:20:42 AM
Supreme Court Declines Review of $5 Million Verdict
On June 29 2026 the United States Supreme Court unanimously denied President Donald Trump’s petition for certiorari on the 2023 civil-jury verdict that held him liable for sexual abuse and defamation of writer E. Jean Carroll. The Court issued no opinion or dissent, effectively leaving the jury’s judgment intact and obligating Trump to satisfy the award.
Legal Background and Prior Judgments
Carroll first sued Trump for defamation in 2019 after he dismissed her allegations from the Oval Office. A 2022 amendment to New York law—the Adult Survivors Act—temporarily suspended the statute of limitations for civil sex-crime claims, enabling her second suit for battery and defamation. A Manhattan jury on May 9 2023 found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding $5 million (later accruing to roughly $5.8 million with interest). A separate 2024 trial resulted in an $83.3 million defamation judgment, also under appeal. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the 2023 verdict in 2024, rejecting Trump’s claim that the trial judge erred by admitting evidence of his past alleged misconduct.
Chronology of Key Developments
- 2019: Carroll files defamation suit after Trump calls her a “liar.”
- 2022: Adult Survivors Act enacted; Carroll files battery-defamation suit.
- May 9 2023: Jury awards $5 million; Trump deposits the sum in a court-controlled account.
- Jan 2024: Jury awards $83.3 million in a second defamation case.
- 2024-2025: Appeals courts uphold both verdicts; Trump seeks Supreme Court review.
- June 29 2026: Supreme Court denies certiorari.
- July 1 2026: Carroll’s counsel files a motion urging Judge Lewis Kaplan to order immediate disbursement, setting a July 7 response deadline.
Damages and Financial Stakes
- $5 million original award (now ? $5.8 million with interest).
- $83.3 million separate defamation award (still pending final resolution).
- Combined judgments exceed $88 million.
Official Statements from Parties
Carroll’s lead attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said the Supreme Court’s action “affirms once and for all the jury’s unanimous verdict that President Donald J. Trump sexually assaulted and defamed E. Jean Carroll” and that “the time for delay is over.” Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the trial, has not yet signed an order but granted Carroll a compressed briefing schedule, requiring Trump’s response by July 7. Trump’s legal team has not commented on the filing.
Opposition Arguments from Trump’s Legal Team
Trump’s attorneys argued that the trial judge “erroneously allowed testimony about multiple decades-old, unverified and unrelated allegations” and that the Access Hollywood tape should have been excluded. They maintain that the evidence improperly influenced the jury and that the judgment should be vacated.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is the end of the line,” — Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney
- “Surprisingly, the Supreme Court declined to ‘review’ a Fake Case brought against me.” — Donald Trump, Truth Social post
- “I will continue the fight against this Weaponization and Lawfare Case against me, including the ridiculous claim of Defamation, with all of my power and strength.” — Donald Trump, Truth Social post
- “Given the extraordinary lengths he has taken to avoid such payments and that each of those efforts has been denied in full, that cooperation ends today.” — Roberta Kaplan, filing on July 1 2026
What’s Next
Carroll’s lawyers seek a court order compelling immediate payment of the $5.8 million. Simultaneously, Trump’s appeal of the $83.3 million defamation judgment remains pending, with his team indicating plans to petition the Supreme Court again. The outcome will determine whether the larger award is ultimately enforceable.
