Judge Approves Release of $5.8 Million to E. Jean Carroll Following Ruling Against Trump
A federal judge ruled on Wednesday that E. Jean Carroll is entitled to receive the $5.8 million awarded to her after a jury found President Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse in 1996 and subsequently defaming her by denying her allegations.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan has ordered the release of funds from the court’s escrow account, along with accrued interest, following the Supreme Court’s decision last week to decline Trump’s appeal regarding the ruling.
This decision comes after Trump’s legal team requested additional time to manage the payments, seeking a delay that could have extended the process by several months as they sought a review from the Supreme Court.
In response to Judge Kaplan’s order, a spokesperson for Trump’s legal team stated that public sentiment favored Trump, advocating for an end to what they termed “witch hunts,” which included characterizing Carroll’s claims as part of a Democratic-funded narrative.
Carroll’s lawyers countered that their client has waited long enough to receive the compensation she deserves, following her claims of sexual abuse and defamation against Trump.
The foundation of the lawsuit dates back to 2022 when Carroll alleged that Trump assaulted her in a Manhattan department store dressing room after an unexpected encounter in 1996. The defamation aspects of her case arose from comments made by Trump after his first term, where he labeled her allegations as fraudulent and a hoax, denying any wrongdoing.
Trump’s attorneys argued that the suspension of the payment should persist until the Supreme Court makes a decision regarding their request for a new trial, citing the potential for irreparable harm to Trump if Carroll received the payment. They stated that Carroll, now 82, would only face a temporary delay in collecting additional interest unless the judgment is overturned on appeal.
Trump further asserted that he would endure “irreparable loss” if Carroll were to receive funds he has “repeatedly indicated he intends to give away,” suggesting that disbursement to third parties could make retrieval impossible.
While Carol’s legal team emphasized that Trump’s lawyers had previously agreed to release the funds if the Supreme Court declined to hear the case in 2023, the current situation reflects ongoing complexities. Trump’s lawyers also noted that another pending challenge is a reason for the Supreme Court to reconsider its previous refusal to hear the case, arguing that disparaging comments made by Trump during his presidency were improperly presented to the jury.
Carroll initially publicized her allegations in 2019, a year in which Trump also sued her for defamation. This case has been tied up in appeals, primarily revolving around issues of presidential immunity. When it finally reached trial in 2024, a jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million. A federal appeals court later rejected Trump’s attempts to overturn that verdict, with his legal representatives expressing intentions to seek Supreme Court review.
Carroll’s counsel claimed last week that Trump appeared to be attempting to delay the process further, suggesting that he might be looking for new justifications to postpone payments. Following the Supreme Court ruling, Trump took to social media to declare, “I will continue to fight tooth and nail against this weapon and this court case against me, including the ridiculous claims of defamation.”
