A federal judge ordered President Donald Trump to pay $5 million to E. Jean Carroll, the advice columnist who won a defamation lawsuit against him. The judgment came days after the Supreme Court declined to review Trump's appeal of the trial verdict.
Carroll sued Trump for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress after he denied her 1990s rape allegation and called her a liar. A Manhattan jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in January 2024, awarding Carroll $83.3 million in damages. The judge's latest order enforces payment of the $5 million defamation award specifically.
Trump's legal team sought Supreme Court review of the verdict, arguing the trial court made reversible errors. The justices rejected that petition without comment, allowing the lower court judgment to stand. Trump has maintained his innocence and characterized the lawsuit as politically motivated.
The $5 million judgment represents only a portion of Carroll's total award. She previously won an additional $83.3 million in a separate New York state court case brought under that state's Adult Survivors Act, which created a special filing window for sexual abuse claims.
The payment obligation now becomes enforceable. Trump faces collection proceedings if he does not comply voluntarily. His legal options for further appeal have largely exhausted, though he could petition for a stay pending other relief.
The case set precedent for holding a sitting president accountable in civil court while in office. Carroll's lawyers argued Trump's false statements about her caused ongoing harm to her reputation and earning potential as a public figure. The verdict underscored that even sitting presidents face liability for statements made in their personal capacity before taking office.
Trump remains involved in multiple other legal battles, including federal criminal cases and additional civil litigation. The Carroll judgment adds to his mounting legal costs and potential financial exposure during his presidency.