Federal Judge Orders Trump to Pay E. Jean Carroll $5.8M on July 9

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered the release of $5.8 million to writer E. Jean Carroll on Wednesday, ending years of legal delay. The money, held in court escrow since a 2023 jury found President Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, includes $5 million in damages plus $800,000 in accrued interest. Trump’s lawyers immediately appealed but were denied an emergency stay by a federal appeals court.

How the jury verdict became final

A Manhattan jury unanimously found Trump liable in 2023 after Carroll testified that he attacked her in a department store dressing room in 1996. The verdict awarded her $2 million for sexual assault and $3 million for defamation related to statements Trump made during his presidency. Trump did not attend the trial and has denied all wrongdoing, calling her allegations false and saying she was “not my type.”

Why the Supreme Court’s decision cleared the way

Trump appealed the verdict through multiple court levels, asking the U.S. Supreme Court on June 29 to review his case. The Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal without dissent, allowing the judgment to stand. Judge Kaplan then issued an order directing the court clerk to disburse the full $5.8 million from the escrow account where Trump had deposited it in June 2023.

Trump’s failed bid to block payment

Trump’s lawyers filed an emergency request late Tuesday asking Judge Kaplan to delay the release while they sought Supreme Court reconsideration. Kaplan rejected the request within 24 hours, writing that Trump “has been stalling this case for years” and that “it is time for him to ‘do equity’ and pay the judgment.” Trump filed a notice of appeal of Kaplan’s order Wednesday afternoon, but the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied his request for an emergency stay late Wednesday.

A separate $83 million judgment still under appeal

In a separate 2024 Manhattan trial, a jury awarded Carroll $83 million for additional defamatory statements Trump made during his presidency. Judge Kaplan instructed that jury to accept the prior finding of sexual abuse as established fact and determine damages solely for defamation. Trump is appealing that verdict, and the Department of Justice is reportedly pushing the Supreme Court to make the federal government the liable party instead of Trump personally.

Final Thoughts

After four years of litigation across every federal court level, Carroll finally receives payment. Trump’s legal strategy of delay has exhausted, though he continues to appeal the separate $83 million judgment.

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