In a major legal setback for former US President Donald Trump, a federal appeals court on Monday rejected his attempt to overturn the $83.3 million jury award granted to writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of destroying her reputation by publicly denying her allegation of rape.
The ruling underscores the seriousness with which the courts have treated Carroll’s claims and Trump’s subsequent remarks.
Background of the Case
E. Jean Carroll, now 81, is a former longtime columnist for Elle magazine. She first came forward in 2019 with allegations that Trump had sexually assaulted her in a dressing room of a Manhattan department store in the 1990s.
Trump, then president, categorically denied the claim, dismissing Carroll as “not my type” and accusing her of fabricating the story to sell copies of her memoir.
Carroll responded by filing lawsuits for both sexual assault and defamation, arguing that Trump’s remarks not only smeared her reputation but also inflicted deep emotional harm.
Her legal battle has since become one of the most high-profile cases holding a former president accountable in civil court.
The Court’s Ruling
The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan upheld the earlier jury’s decision, rejecting Trump’s arguments that his presidential role shielded him from liability.
A three-judge panel concluded that the jury’s award was justified, writing: “The jury’s duly rendered damages awards were reasonable in light of the extraordinary and egregious facts of this case.”
Specifically, the $83.3 million judgment delivered in January 2024 was broken down into $18.3 million for reputational and emotional damages, and a massive $65 million in punitive damages meant to deter such conduct.
Trump’s Arguments and Why They Failed
Trump’s legal team attempted to argue that the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling granting him broad immunity in criminal cases should also extend to civil suits like Carroll’s.
He further claimed that his 2019 comments dismissing Carroll’s allegations were made as part of his official duties as president, and therefore should be protected under presidential immunity.
The appeals court flatly rejected both claims, making it clear that civil accountability cannot be erased simply because a defendant once occupied the Oval Office.
What Has Happened So Far
This ruling follows a separate jury verdict in May 2023, which ordered Trump to pay Carroll $5 million for sexual assault and defamation.
That earlier verdict was also upheld by the 2nd Circuit in June 2024, strengthening Carroll’s position in her long legal battle.
The cumulative effect of these rulings paints a stark picture: the courts have consistently sided with Carroll, finding Trump liable for defamatory remarks and dismissing his claims of immunity.
Broader Implications
The rejection of Trump’s appeal comes at a politically sensitive moment, as he continues to face multiple legal battles while simultaneously running a high-profile campaign.
The case highlights the tension between claims of presidential immunity and the principle that no one, not even a former president, is above the law.
Carroll, for her part, has continued to document her fight. In June 2024, she published a memoir titled Not My Type: One Woman vs a President, offering a personal reflection on her struggle against one of the most powerful figures in the world.
Neither Trump’s legal team nor the White House responded immediately to the appeals court ruling, according to Reuters.
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