President Trump to Appeal $5 Million E. Jean Carroll Verdict to Supreme Court
President Donald Trump plans to ask the Supreme Court to overturn a $5 million verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll.
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Overview
- President Donald Trump intends to appeal a $5 million civil verdict to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn findings that he sexually abused and defamed writer E. Jean Carroll.
- The verdict stems from a 2023 trial where a jury found Trump liable for a 1996 incident and subsequent defamation in 2022, with an appellate panel previously upholding the decision.
- Trump's legal team plans to argue that Judge Kaplan, who presided over the trials, made significant errors and improperly prevented Trump from contesting the jury's initial finding of sexual abuse.
- This appeal follows the 2nd Circuit judges' denial of Trump's petition for a full appellate court review of the $5 million abuse and defamation verdict.
- E. Jean Carroll's lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, expressed doubt regarding the legal merit of Trump's potential Supreme Court appeal, noting Carroll also won an $83.3 million defamation award.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story neutrally by focusing on the factual progression of the legal case. They present the actions and arguments of both parties involved, detailing court decisions and jury findings without injecting editorial bias. The reporting maintains an objective tone, allowing readers to understand the legal developments without a predetermined narrative.
"Trump’s lawyers previewed the move as they asked the high court to extend its deadline for challenging the $5 million verdict from Sept. 10 to Nov. 11."
ABC NewsArticles (3)
FAQ
President Trump's legal team plans to argue that Judge Lewis A. Kaplan made significant errors during the trial, including improperly preventing Trump from contesting the jury's initial finding of sexual abuse and allowing testimony from two other accusers, which they claim spoiled the trial.
A jury found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in 1996 and defaming her in 2022, resulting in a $5 million civil verdict against him.
Trump lost his initial appeal in December 2024, and a three-judge appellate panel upheld the $5 million verdict, rejecting claims that the trial judge erred. His request for a full appellate court rehearing (en banc) was denied in June 2025.
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's lawyer, expressed skepticism about the appeal's legal merit, stating she does not believe Trump can present legal issues that merit the Supreme Court's review, especially since Carroll also won an $83.3 million defamation award.
Key evidence included Carroll's testimony of a 1996 assault in a Manhattan store dressing room, testimony from two other women accusing Trump of similar abuse in 1970s and 2005, and Trump's defamation through public denial in 2022.
History
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