The United States Supreme Court rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s appeal for the second time, upholding a $5-million US verdict in favor of E. Jean Carroll. The jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming the former magazine columnist. Trump’s lawyers argued that the trial was unfair, but the Supreme Court declined to reconsider their previous decision from June.
The court’s order was brief and did not provide an explanation, as the Supreme Court seldom grants requests for reconsideration. Trump is also awaiting a decision on his appeal against an $83.3-million US jury verdict for defaming Carroll during his presidency.
Carroll, a former advice columnist for Elle magazine, accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s. Trump denied the allegations and claimed Carroll lied on multiple occasions. The $5-million US verdict stemmed from Trump’s social media statements in 2022, where he called Carroll’s claim a “hoax” and a “con job.”
After the Supreme Court’s denial in June, Carroll received nearly $5.63 million US from Trump, including interest. Trump’s lawyers sought a rehearing based on the issue of presidential immunity, which could impact both the 2023 and 2024 jury verdicts. The Supreme Court previously ruled that former presidents have full immunity from criminal prosecution for actions taken in office, but the Carroll cases are civil lawsuits.