A New York judge ordered the release of nearly 5.8 million dollars in funds to journalist E. Jean Carroll on July 8, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to decline an appeal in a civil case. The funds, which include interest, stem from a 2023 jury verdict finding that Donald Trump sexually abused Carroll in 1996 and subsequently defamed her.
How the Legal Funds Were Released
Judge Lewis A. Kaplan issued the order authorizing the payment after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal regarding the three-year-old civil judgment. According to the Associated Press, the money had been held in a court-sanctioned fund throughout the duration of the appeal process. Donald Trump had already deposited the full amount into this account in anticipation of a final court ruling.
Following Judge Kaplan’s order, legal representatives for Donald Trump filed an appeal to the federal appeals court in Manhattan. The filing occurred approximately one hour after the release order was issued. A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team characterized the proceedings as a “witch hunt” and a “farce funded by Democrats,” according to Reuters.
The 5.8 million dollar payout is separate from a larger defamation judgment awarded to E. Jean Carroll by a different Manhattan jury in January 2024. Trump is currently appealing that separate verdict as well.
The Origin of the Sexual Abuse Claims
The financial judgment originated from a 2023 civil trial that Donald Trump did not attend. During the proceedings, E. Jean Carroll, a former columnist for Elle magazine, testified that Trump sexually abused her in a dressing room at a Manhattan luxury department store in 1996.
Carroll first detailed the incident in a 2019 book, where she alleged that she had been raped. Throughout the legal process, Donald Trump maintained that he did not know Carroll. He publicly accused her of fabricating the claims to boost sales of her memoirs and suggested the allegations were politically motivated.
What Are the Broader Implications for Civil Litigation?
By refusing to hear the appeal, the Supreme Court allowed the lower court’s findings on sexual abuse and defamation to stand.
In this instance, the pre-deposit of funds by the defendant ensured that the plaintiff could access the awarded damages immediately upon the exhaustion of the appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Donald Trump paid the 5.8 million dollars?
Yes. According to the Associated Press, the funds were placed into a court-monitored fund during the appeal process and have already been paid by the defendant.
Is the 5.8 million dollars related to the defamation judgment?
No. The 5.8 million dollars relates to a 2023 civil verdict concerning a 1996 incident. The defamation judgment stems from a separate defamation trial held in January 2024, which is currently subject to its own appeals process.
What is the current status of the appeals?
While the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal regarding the initial 2023 verdict, Trump’s legal team has filed a new appeal to the federal appeals court in Manhattan regarding Judge Kaplan’s recent order to release the funds.
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