Trump's Lawyers Ask Supreme Court to Overturn $83M Defamation Judgment
Trump's lawyers petition Supreme Court to overturn $83.3M defamation ruling by lower courts.
Why it matters: The case tests the boundaries of presidential immunity in defamation law, setting precedent for BigLaw litigators. It also affects how courts may handle defamation claims against current or former public officials.
- $83.3 million was awarded to E. Jean Carroll over Trump's 2019 denial of sexual assault allegations.
- Trump's team argues statements fall under presidential immunity as they were made while in office responding to press.
- The 2nd Circuit denied an en banc rehearing but allowed Trump to delay payment with a $7.4 million bond.
- Carroll separately won a $5.8 million sexual abuse and defamation award, actively enforced by a federal judge.
Donald Trump's legal team has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn an $83.3 million defamation verdict awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll. The judgment relates to Trump's public denials in 2019 about Carroll's claim he sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store during the 1990s.
Trump's lawyers contend these statements are protected by presidential immunity because they were made while he was serving as president and were in response to media questions about his conduct. The petition challenges whether a president can claim immunity from defamation suits for statements made in office.
Earlier, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Trump's request for an en banc rehearing—a review by all judges on the court—effectively affirming the initial ruling. However, in May 2024, the appeals court allowed Trump to delay paying the judgment while awaiting the Supreme Court's decision, on condition that he post a $7.4 million bond to cover accrued interest. This temporary stay highlights the high stakes involved.
Separately, Carroll was awarded $5.8 million for sexual abuse and defamation claims, which a federal judge is actively enforcing. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan emphasized the need for compliance, stating it is "time for him to 'do equity' and pay the judgment." These enforcement efforts continue despite ongoing appeals.
This case is a critical test of how far presidential immunity extends in civil defamation claims, with significant implications for defamation law and public official accountability. Legal professionals tracking this dispute note the Supreme Court's forthcoming ruling could clarify immunity boundaries and influence similar cases involving public figures.
By the numbers:
- $83.3 million — defamation award to E. Jean Carroll
- $7.4 million — bond posted to delay judgment payment
- $5.8 million — separate award for sexual abuse and defamation
What's next: The Supreme Court will decide whether to hear the case, potentially setting oral arguments later this year or early 2025.