Appeals court upholds E. Jean Carroll’s $5 Million win against Trump

This decision came on Monday from a panel of three judges at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan.

The case dates back to 1996 when Carroll, a former magazine columnist, claimed that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store in Manhattan. Carroll later filed a lawsuit, accusing Trump of both sexually abusing her and defaming her when he denied her accusations.

In May 2023, a federal jury in Manhattan did not find Trump guilty of rape but still ruled in Carroll's favor. The jury awarded her $2.02 million for sexual assault and $2.98 million for defamation. The defamation stemmed from a post Trump made on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he called Carroll’s rape claim a hoax.

Additionally, another jury had previously ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million in January 2024. This decision came from a different case, where Trump was found guilty of defaming Carroll in 2019. In the 2019 case, Trump denied the accusations, claiming that he did not know Carroll, that she was "not his type," and that she made up the story to sell her memoir. He is still appealing the $83.3 million verdict.

Even after winning a second term as U.S. President in 2024, Trump’s legal battles continue. Carroll’s cases are still ongoing.

Trump’s lawyers argued that the $5 million verdict, which Carroll won in 2023, should be thrown out. They claimed that the trial judge, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, allowed testimony from two other women who accused Trump of sexual misconduct. These women were Jessica Leeds, who said Trump groped her on a plane in the 1970s, and Natasha Stoynoff, a former People magazine writer, who said Trump forcibly kissed her at his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2005.

Trump’s legal team also objected to the trial judge allowing the jury to watch a video from 2005. In this video, Trump is heard boasting about forcing himself on women. However, the appeals court ruled that Trump’s lawyers failed to prove that Judge Kaplan made any mistakes that would have justified a new trial.

The U.S. Supreme Court had ruled in 1997 that sitting U.S. presidents are not immune from civil lawsuits. This ruling came after a case involving former President Bill Clinton. The court decided that a president could be sued for actions that happened before they took office and were not related to their presidential duties. This means Trump, despite being elected again in 2024, is not protected from legal action for things that occurred before he became president.

Despite Trump’s appeals and his legal team’s efforts to have the verdicts overturned, the federal appeals court decision stands. Carroll’s lawyers have not commented on the latest ruling. Neither Trump’s lawyers nor Carroll’s legal team responded immediately when asked for comments.

These rulings are just a part of Carroll’s long-running legal battles with Trump. Over the years, she has repeatedly accused Trump of sexual misconduct. The defamation cases were part of her efforts to clear her name after Trump publicly denied the accusations and called her a liar.

This decision is an important step in holding public figures accountable for their actions. It also emphasizes the rights of individuals who claim they have been victims of sexual abuse or defamation.

As Carroll’s cases continue, the court’s rulings send a message that even high-profile individuals, including a sitting president, are not above the law. Carroll's legal team is expected to keep pushing forward with the cases as they continue their fight for justice.

For now, Trump’s legal troubles remain unresolved as the appeals process continues. The final outcome of these legal challenges could impact his public image and future political ambitions. But for E. Jean Carroll, the ongoing legal battle is not just about money—it’s about standing up for herself and making sure her voice is heard.