Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Supreme Court again rejects Trump's appeal in Carroll case
A writer named E. Jean Carroll said that Donald Trump hurt her in a department store in New York City a long time ago.
She also said he said mean things about her when she told people her story.
A jury listened to the case and decided Trump had to pay Carroll $5 million.
Trump did not want to pay, so he asked the Supreme Court to help him.
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the United States.
The court said no the first time he asked.
Trump asked again, which is very unusual.
The court said no again.
Trump has already paid the money, about $5.6 million with interest.
There is another case where he has to pay $83.3 million, and he is still trying to cancel that one.
Trump says he did nothing wrong.
The Supreme Court on Monday again rejected President Donald Trump's request to reconsider its June decision declining to hear his appeal of the $5 million verdict in favor of E. Jean Carroll.
A 2023 jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, but rejected her claim that he raped her.
Trump paid Carroll nearly $5.63 million, including the original $5 million award plus interest, after the court's June rejection.
The justices have not yet decided whether to hear Trump's separate appeal of the $83.3 million defamation verdict, in which he argues presidential immunity for his 2019 comments.
Carroll alleged Trump assaulted her in the mid-1990s in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan; Trump denies any wrongdoing.
Trump's lawyers argued reconsideration was warranted because the case is connected to his separate appeal raising presidential immunity.
- Who
- President Donald Trump and writer E. Jean Carroll
- What
- The Supreme Court again rejected Trump's appeal to overturn the $5 million jury verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll
- When
- Monday; the original jury verdict was issued in May 2023
- Where
- New York City, where the alleged assault occurred in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan
- Why
- Trump sought to avoid paying the judgment and argued presidential immunity for his 2019 comments
Carroll's position
Trump's position
Sexual abuse allegation
Carroll's position
Carroll testified that Trump turned a friendly 1990s encounter into a violent attack in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room, and a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation.
Trump's position
Trump denies any wrongdoing, says he does not know Carroll, and has called her claims a 'con job,' 'hoax,' and 'nut job.'
Presidential immunity
Carroll's position
Juries found Trump liable for defaming Carroll in both trials, including for his 2019 denials, and the Carroll lawsuits are civil cases rather than criminal proceedings.
Trump's position
Trump argues his 2019 comments were official presidential statements and that he is immune from being sued over them, citing the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling on presidential immunity.
- Verdict amount
- $5 million for sexual abuse and defamation
- Total paid
- Nearly $5.63 million including interest
- Second verdict
- $83.3 million awarded in 2024 for defamation
- Court action
- Supreme Court rejected Trump's renewed appeal on Monday
- Alleged incident
- Mid-1990s encounter in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan
- Jury finding
- Found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation but rejected the rape claim
- Carroll's background
- Former advice columnist for Elle magazine and former TV talk show host
- Trump's defense
- Denies any wrongdoing; claims presidential immunity for his 2019 comments
Sources
Supreme Court again rebuffs Donald Trump's push to toss out $5 million verdict in Jean Carroll case
Supreme Court again rebuffs Trump’s bid to stop $5.6 million payment to E. Jean Carroll
Supreme Court rejects Trump’s renewed appeal to block E. Jean Carroll award