Former President Donald Trump filed a petition urging the Supreme Court to overturn an $83.3 million defamation verdict issued by a New York jury in May 2023. The verdict came from a civil case brought by E. Jean Carroll, a columnist who accused Trump of sexual assault and defamation after he denied her allegations and questioned her credibility.
The case proceeded through New York state courts after Carroll sued Trump under state defamation law. A Manhattan jury found Trump liable for defamatory statements he made regarding Carroll's account of an alleged 1990s sexual assault. The jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages for harm to her reputation and emotional distress.
Trump's petition to the Supreme Court challenges the verdict on constitutional grounds, likely invoking First Amendment protections for speech and arguing that the defamation standard applied by the New York court was too restrictive. His legal team contends that the jury's decision violates free speech principles or that the damages award was excessive under the Constitution.
The Supreme Court faces a crowded docket and receives thousands of petitions annually, denying the vast majority without comment. Justices typically grant review only when cases involve questions of nationwide significance, split decisions among appellate courts, or unresolved constitutional issues. Trump's petition joins other litigation he faces, including federal criminal indictments and additional civil suits.
The timing of Trump's filing comes as the Supreme Court experiences historically low public approval ratings, according to recent polling data cited by SCOTUSblog. The Court's standing has declined amid controversial decisions on abortion, voting rights, and other divisive issues. Public confidence in judicial institutions affects both the legitimacy of future rulings and broader faith in the American legal system.
The Carroll verdict represents one of the largest defamation awards against a public figure in recent years, making it a rare and closely watched case. Whether the Supreme Court accepts