The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from Donald Trump, effectively leaving in place a $5 million jury verdict favoring writer E. Jean Carroll. The 2023 jury found the former president liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, a decision later upheld by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The refusal to intervene marks a definitive end to Trump’s attempts to overturn that specific judgment.
Why did the Supreme Court reject the appeal?
The justices turned away the appeal without comment, a standard practice when the court declines to take up a case. Trump’s legal team had petitioned the court to review the 2023 verdict, arguing that the trial judge acted improperly by allowing jurors to hear evidence of his alleged past sexual misconduct. According to court filings, his attorneys claimed the judge allowed “decades-old, unverified and unrelated allegations” that violated federal rules of evidence.
However, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals previously rejected these arguments. In its 2024 ruling, the appellate court determined that the trial evidence established a “repeated, idiosyncratic pattern of conduct” consistent with Carroll’s claims. This included the 2016 “Access Hollywood” recording where Trump bragged about his sexual behavior.
While the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, they did not find that he raped Carroll, a specific claim she had included in her original allegations.
How did the parties react to the ruling?
Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction on social media, labeling the lawsuit “a fake case” and asserting that the litigation was an attack on his candidacy. He maintained that Carroll fabricated her story to sell her 2019 memoir and to profit from the legal proceedings.
Conversely, Roberta Kaplan, an attorney for Carroll, stated that the Supreme Court’s decision confirms the finality of the jury’s unanimous verdict. “His multiple efforts to appeal that verdict have all failed, and today’s ruling ends his quest to avoid accountability for his actions,” Kaplan said in a statement.
What is the status of the other legal cases?
The $5 million verdict originated from comments Trump made in 2022, when he called Carroll’s claims a “hoax” and a “con job.” This is distinct from a second, larger judgment. In 2024, a separate jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages regarding defamation claims stemming from statements Trump made in 2019. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals also declined to overturn that $83.3 million verdict in 2025.
Distinguishing between the two cases is essential for understanding the timeline. The first case (the $5 million verdict) centers on 2022 statements, while the second case (the $83.3 million verdict) centers on 2019 statements.
Is there a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll?
Reports of a criminal investigation targeting Carroll have been explicitly denied by federal authorities. While some reporting in May mentioned a potential investigation into whether Carroll committed perjury—the act of lying under oath—the top federal prosecutor in Chicago refuted these claims. The prosecutor’s office confirmed it has not initiated any such criminal probe into Carroll’s testimony during the civil trials.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the total amount awarded to E. Jean Carroll?
Carroll was awarded $5 million in the 2023 trial and $83.3 million in the 2024 trial, totaling $88.3 million in jury-awarded damages.
What does the Supreme Court’s refusal mean for the case?
It means the lower court’s ruling stands, and the appeals process for the $5 million verdict is exhausted.
Did the jury find that Trump raped Carroll?
No. While the jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, they did not reach a finding of rape, despite Carroll’s allegations.
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