In a major legal setback for former President Donald Trump, a federal appeals court on Monday confirmed that he must pay $83.3 million to columnist E. Jean Carroll.
The decision ends his latest bid to overturn the defamation ruling he lost last year.
Appeals Court Backs Jury’s Decision
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan ruled that the damages awarded by the jury were “fair and reasonable.”
Carroll originally won her defamation case after accusing Trump of sexual assault in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in New York back in 1996.
Social Media Attacks Sparked the Lawsuit
Carroll filed the suit following repeated social media statements from Trump in which he denied the assault and attacked her credibility.
Her case argued that these attacks were defamatory and caused significant personal and professional harm.
Trump’s Legal Arguments Rejected
Trump’s legal team had attempted to shield him using the Supreme Court’s July 2024 ruling on presidential immunity, arguing it should protect him from defamation claims tied to actions before or outside his presidency.
The appeals court rejected this defense, upholding the jury’s award.
What Comes Next
This ruling cements Carroll’s victory and reinforces that former presidents can still be held accountable in civil cases for statements made outside the scope of official duties.
The case remains a high-profile example of the legal risks faced by public figures who make repeated public statements about private individuals.