Appeals Court Affirms $83 Million Defamation Judgment Against Trump in E. Jean Carroll Case

Washington D.C. — A federal appeals court on Monday rejected former President Donald Trump's appeal of writer E. Jean Carroll's $83 million defamation verdict, leaving the presumptive Republican presidential nominee legally responsible for the substantial judgment. The decision, handed down by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, marks a significant legal setback for Trump and reinforces the findings of a New York jury earlier this year.

The ruling means that the hefty award, which includes $65 million in punitive damages, stands firm, barring a successful appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court or other extraordinary legal maneuvers. The decision has immediate implications for Trump's ongoing legal battles and financial standing as he continues his campaign for the 2024 presidential election.

The Court's Unanimous Decision

The appeals court panel, composed of three judges, affirmed the lower court's judgment without issuing a lengthy opinion, indicating a strong agreement with the original jury's findings and the trial judge's handling of the case. The appeal primarily focused on the amount of damages awarded and the legal basis for holding Trump liable for his post-verdict statements. However, the appellate court found no reversible error.

This ruling stems from a January 2024 trial where a jury found Trump liable for defaming Carroll by repeatedly denying her allegations of sexual assault and disparaging her after she went public with her story. The jury had previously found in a separate 2023 trial that Trump had sexually assaulted Carroll in the mid-1990s and defamed her in 2022. The $83 million judgment was awarded in the second trial to compensate Carroll for the emotional harm and reputational damage caused by Trump's continued public attacks.

Background of the Carroll Lawsuits

E. Jean Carroll, a former advice columnist for Elle magazine, first sued Donald Trump in 2019 after he denied her claims of sexual assault in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the mid-1990s, alleging defamation. Following the passage of New York's Adult Survivors Act, she filed a second lawsuit in 2022, including a battery claim alongside a new defamation claim for statements made in 2022.

In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and defaming her in 2022, awarding her $5 million in damages. That verdict established the core facts of the sexual assault and defamation. The subsequent January 2024 trial focused specifically on the damages owed for Trump's ongoing defamatory statements made after the initial 2019 lawsuit. The $83 million award reflected the jury's assessment of the severe impact of Trump's repeated public denials and attacks.

What This Means for Donald Trump

The appeals court's decision places significant financial pressure on Donald Trump. He was required to post a bond covering the judgment while the appeal was underway, securing the $83 million plus interest. If he fails to secure a stay from the Supreme Court, or if the Supreme Court declines to hear the case, he will be obligated to pay the sum.

Legal experts suggest that overturning such a comprehensive appellate decision, especially one affirming a jury's damage award, at the Supreme Court level is an uphill battle. Supreme Court review is generally reserved for significant legal questions or conflicts between lower courts, rather than re-evaluating factual findings or damage calculations.

"This ruling solidifies the legal precedent against him in this case," said Sarah Chen, a constitutional law professor at Georgetown University. "While he can pursue further appeals, the avenues become increasingly narrow and challenging. The onus is on him to demonstrate a fundamental legal error, not just a disagreement with the jury's outcome."

The judgment adds to a growing list of legal challenges and financial obligations facing the former president, including other civil suits and criminal indictments. These legal battles continue to draw public attention and resources as he navigates a high-stakes presidential campaign.

Reactions and Next Steps

E. Jean Carroll's legal team has consistently expressed satisfaction with the jury's verdicts, viewing them as a vindication for their client. Following the initial $83 million verdict, Carroll stated that the decision was "not just for me, but for every woman who has been silenced."

Trump, through his legal team, has consistently maintained his innocence and characterized the lawsuits as politically motivated "witch hunts." His spokespeople have previously indicated that he would appeal the case "all the way to the Supreme Court" if necessary. It is widely expected that Trump's legal counsel will now prepare a petition for certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking a review of the Second Circuit's decision.

However, the Supreme Court accepts only a small fraction of the cases it is asked to hear, making it a long-shot endeavor. If the Supreme Court declines to hear the case, or rules against him, the $83 million judgment will become final and payable.

The outcome of this case, and Trump's subsequent actions, will undoubtedly continue to be a focal point in the political and legal landscape leading up to the 2024 general election.