Trump Appeal E Jean Carroll Verdict – The Trump appeal of the E Jean Carroll verdict remains one of the most closely watched civil cases in the United States as of April 2026. Writer E. Jean Carroll accused former President Donald Trump of sexually abusing her in the mid-1990s at a Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan. Two separate federal jury trials in New York resulted in significant liability findings and damage awards against Trump. Trump has appealed both outcomes, with the core sexual abuse and defamation verdict now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
This article provides a clear, up-to-date breakdown of the case, the appeals process, and what it means for U.S. politics and the rule of law. Targeted at American readers, it draws exclusively from trusted sources including court records, the Associated Press, SCOTUSblog, and major news outlets.
Background of the E. Jean Carroll Lawsuits
E. Jean Carroll, a longtime advice columnist for Elle magazine, first publicly accused Trump of sexual assault in a 2019 excerpt from her book. Trump denied the allegations and made public statements calling her claims a “hoax,” a “complete scam,” and accusing her of lying for financial or political gain.
Carroll filed two civil lawsuits in federal court in Manhattan:
- The first focused on defamation tied to Trump’s 2019 statements.
- The second, filed in 2022 under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, added a battery (sexual abuse) claim and additional defamation related to Trump’s 2022 social media posts.
Both cases proceeded to trial before U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan. Trump did not attend the trials but provided deposition testimony.
The 2023 Verdict: Sexual Abuse and Defamation Liability
In May 2023, a Manhattan federal jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and defaming her. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. Notably, the jury concluded the evidence showed sexual abuse but not rape under the narrow New York legal definition at the time.
The verdict was based on Carroll’s testimony, corroborated by two friends she confided in shortly after the alleged incident, plus supporting evidence including the Access Hollywood tape and testimony from two other women who accused Trump of similar misconduct.
Trump immediately appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, arguing evidentiary errors, including the admission of the Access Hollywood tape and other accusers’ testimony.
The 2024 Verdict: Additional $83.3 Million in Defamation Damages
A separate January 2024 jury trial addressed Trump’s post-2023-verdict statements. That jury awarded Carroll an additional $83.3 million—including $18.3 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages—for continued defamation.
Trump posted a bond to stay enforcement during appeal. The case again centered on Trump’s repeated public attacks on Carroll’s credibility.
Appeals Court Rulings: Second Circuit Decisions
The Second Circuit issued key rulings on both verdicts:
- December 30, 2024: A three-judge panel upheld the $5 million verdict in full, finding no reversible error in Judge Kaplan’s evidentiary rulings or instructions to the jury.
- June 13, 2025: The full Second Circuit denied Trump’s request for en banc rehearing.
- September 8, 2025: A separate Second Circuit panel unanimously upheld the $83.3 million defamation award. The court rejected Trump’s presidential immunity argument and called the jury’s damages “fair and reasonable” given the “extraordinary and egregious” facts.
These decisions affirmed that the original trials were fair and that the damage awards stood.
Trump’s Supreme Court Petition: Current Status in April 2026
Trump’s appeal of the $5 million sexual abuse and defamation verdict reached the U.S. Supreme Court in November 2025 (Docket No. 25-573). His petition argues that the trial court improperly admitted “highly inflammatory propensity evidence” under Federal Rules of Evidence 413, 415, and 404(b), including the Access Hollywood tape and testimony from other accusers.
Key issues raised:
- Whether Rule 415 overrides Rule 403’s balancing test for remote propensity evidence.
- Whether evidence of prior “bad acts” can be admitted without a non-propensity purpose.
As of April 18, 2026, the Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to grant certiorari. The petition has been rescheduled multiple times and was most recently distributed for the justices’ April 17, 2026 conference before being rescheduled again. No ruling on review has been issued.
The $83.3 million verdict’s appeal appears resolved at the Second Circuit level, with no active Supreme Court petition noted in current dockets.
Trump has described the lawsuits as politically motivated and has continued to deny all allegations.
Why the Trump E Jean Carroll Appeal Matters to Americans?
This civil case carries significant weight for several reasons relevant to U.S. audiences:
- Accountability and the Presidency: It tests whether a sitting or former president can be held liable in civil court for personal conduct and statements made while in office. The Second Circuit rejected Trump’s immunity claims in the $83.3 million case.
- Evidence Rules in High-Profile Trials: The Supreme Court petition focuses on federal evidence rules that could affect future sexual assault and defamation cases nationwide.
- Public Trust in the Judicial System: With Trump serving his second term as President, the ongoing litigation highlights tensions between private civil disputes and executive duties.
- Financial Stakes: Trump posted bonds exceeding $90 million combined to pause collection while appealing. Carroll has not yet received payment.
Legal experts note that even if the Supreme Court denies review, the verdicts stand and Carroll could seek to enforce them.
Potential Outcomes and Next Steps
If the Supreme Court grants review:
- It could overturn the $5 million verdict on evidentiary grounds and order a new trial.
- Or it could affirm the Second Circuit, ending the matter.
If denied (the more common outcome for cert petitions), the $5 million judgment becomes final alongside the already-upheld $83.3 million award.
Carroll’s legal team has stated they look forward to the end of the appellate process so “justice will finally be done.” Trump’s attorneys maintain the allegations are “facially implausible.”
Where the Trump Appeal E Jean Carroll Verdict Stands Today?
As of April 2026, the Trump appeal of the E Jean Carroll verdict is at a critical juncture. The $83.3 million defamation judgment is final after the Second Circuit’s September 2025 ruling. The $5 million sexual abuse and defamation verdict remains pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, with the justices continuing to schedule and reschedule conferences without yet granting or denying review.
This case underscores the enduring power of civil juries and the lengthy appellate process in America’s legal system. For the latest developments, Americans should follow official Supreme Court dockets and reputable news sources. The outcome could shape not only Trump’s personal liabilities but also broader standards for evidence in civil rights cases across the country.