Trump Appeals E. Jean Carroll Verdict to Supreme Court
In a major legal battle, former President Donald Trump is seeking intervention from the Supreme Court regarding a jury’s civil lawsuit verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming author E. Jean Carroll.
Legal Arguments Put Forward
Trump’s legal team contended in their filing that the accusations leading to the substantial $5 million verdict were “propped up” by what they described as a “series of indefensible evidentiary rulings.” They asserted that these rulings allowed Carroll’s lawyers to present “highly inflammatory propensity evidence” against Trump, skewing the trial in Carroll’s favor.
According to attorney Justin Smith, representing Trump alongside co-counsel, “President Trump has clearly and consistently denied that this supposed incident ever occurred.” The legal team emphasized the absence of physical or DNA evidence corroborating Carroll’s allegations, along with a lack of eyewitness accounts, video documentation, or any police report to substantiate her claims.
The Background of the Case
The roots of the case trace back to Carroll’s allegations in her 2019 memoir, where she claimed that Trump raped her in a New York City department store dressing room during the 1990s. Trump has vehemently denied the claims, asserting he has never met Carroll, dismissing her as not his “type,” and accusing her of fabricating the story to sell books. His statements and continuous denials have been central to Carroll’s defamation lawsuit against him.
In December 2024, a three-judge appellate panel upheld the original verdict that found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. They rejected Trump’s claims that the presiding judge, Lewis A. Kaplan, distorted federal evidence rules to support Carroll’s “implausible” assertions. The ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals diverged from the interpretations of other federal appeals courts regarding how these evidentiary rules should be applied, according to Trump’s lawyers.
Future Steps and Reactions
As Trump’s legal team prepares for the Supreme Court appeal, questions remain about the viability of their arguments in front of the nation’s highest court. Roberta Kaplan, representing Carroll, expressed skepticism, stating, “We do not believe that President Trump will be able to present any legal issues in the Carroll cases that merit review by the United States Supreme Court,” when Trump’s intent to appeal was first indicated.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team framed the appeal as part of the former president’s broader battle against what they termed “Liberal Lawfare,” claiming that the American public supports Trump in demanding an end to these legal challenges, which they characterize as politically motivated attacks.
Judicial Proceedings and Verdicts
The legal saga has intensified, culminating in Carroll winning significant damages against Trump. Notably, a separate defamation trial resulted in a jury ordering Trump to pay Carroll an additional $83.3 million. The 2nd Circuit upheld this verdict, describing the jury’s damages award as “fair and reasonable” on September 8.
Trump’s legal strategy now faces crucial decisions. He can either accept the appellate court’s decision and permit Carroll to collect the awarded judgment—which he had placed into escrow—or pursue his legal battles up to the Supreme Court.
Conclusion
As Trump navigates this complex legal landscape, the implications of the Supreme Court’s potential involvement could ripple through both his political future and the ongoing discourse surrounding accountability for public figures accused of serious misconduct. The outcomes remain to be seen as legal teams prepare for what lies ahead.
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom, Ashley Oliver and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
