Key Takeaways
- US President Donald Trump has paid $5.6 million to E. Jean Carroll.
- A jury found Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming Carroll in 1996.
- The Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal, making the decision final.
US President Donald Trump has paid $5.6 million to writer E. Jean Carroll after a civil jury found him liable for sexually assaulting and defaming her in 1996, according to court filings. The payment was made following a unanimous nine-person jury decision that was upheld by the US Supreme Court’s refusal to hear an appeal against the original May 2023 judgment.
Carroll, now 82 and a former journalist and columnist, accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a dressing room at a New York department store. When the allegations were published in a 2019 book, Trump called Carroll a 'nut job' and claimed she had fabricated her case. In addition to the assault case, Carroll also won a separate defamation judgment against Trump for $83.3 million.
The payment of $5.6 million was made on Tuesday, as reported by court filings. The Supreme Court’s decision in late June to not hear Trump's appeal means that this verdict is now final and binding. This marks the end of Carroll's legal battle with the former president, who has faced numerous lawsuits over his alleged sexual misconduct.
Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, 'Three years ago, a unanimous nine-person jury found President Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming E. Jean Carroll. Today, we are pleased to report that she has received the damages payment the jury awarded her as a result of that verdict.'
The case highlights the ongoing legal challenges faced by public figures accused of sexual misconduct, even years after the alleged incidents occurred. The payment underscores the financial and reputational impact such cases can have on individuals in high-profile positions.
In his defense, Trump has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that Carroll had fabricated her claims to gain attention and money. However, the jury's decision and subsequent Supreme Court ruling have effectively silenced any further legal challenges against him regarding these specific charges.
The case also brings into focus the complexities of sexual assault cases in the public eye, where victims often face significant backlash and skepticism from the public and media. Carroll’s persistence in pursuing justice despite initial dismissals by Trump has set a precedent for other victims of alleged sexual misconduct to seek legal recourse.
'Three years ago, a unanimous nine-person jury found President Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming E. Jean Carroll.'
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's attorney
