E. Jean Carroll Receives $5 Million Payment from Trump for Civil Suit

E. Jean Carroll, a renowned writer and former Elle magazine columnist, has received a significant payment from former President Donald Trump as part of a civil judgment related to her claims of sexual abuse and defamation. In 2023, Carroll sued Trump over allegations that he had sexually abused her in the dressing room of a Manhattan department store in the 1990s. The lawsuit also claimed that Trump had defamed Carroll in a 2022 social media post, in which he referred to her allegations as "a Hoax and a lie" and said "This woman is not my type!"

In a landmark verdict, a nine-person jury determined that Trump was liable for the alleged sexual assault and defamation of Carroll. This verdict has been widely seen as a significant victory for victims of sexual abuse and their advocates, who argue that such actions by powerful individuals must be held accountable. Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's attorney, stated in a recent statement that "Three years ago, a unanimous nine-person jury found President Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming E. Jean Carroll." Kaplan continued to report that Carroll had received the damages payment that the jury awarded her as a result of that verdict.

The process of collecting the judgment has been ongoing for several years, with Trump depositing $5.55 million in the federal government's Court Registry Investment System to be held in escrow during his appeal. However, following the U.S. Supreme Court's refusal to hear Trump's appeal, a federal judge in New York ordered Trump to pay the original $5 million judgment plus almost $800,000 in interest. The payment of this judgment represents a significant development in a case that has garnered extensive media attention.

Trump's actions in response to the Supreme Court's decision have been widely criticized. In a social media post, he vowed to continue fighting against the case, claiming it was an example of "Weaponization and Lawfare" against him. Trump also stated, "I will continue the fight against this ridiculous claim of Defamation, with all of my power and strength." This reaction has raised concerns about the potential for further litigation and the continued scrutiny of Trump's actions.

The history of the case dates back to 2023, when Carroll first filed her lawsuit against Trump. The case has been the subject of intense media scrutiny, with many commentators weighing in on the issue of accountability for powerful individuals accused of sexual abuse. The case has also raised questions about the intersection of politics and the law, particularly in cases where those in power engage in behavior that is deemed unacceptable by the broader public.

In addition to the civil judgment against Trump, Carroll has also received a separate judgment in a related case. In 2024, a New York jury ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million in damages to Carroll for his defamation of her in 2019, when he denied her allegations of sexual abuse. Trump continues to appeal this judgment, a development that underscores the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the case. The outcome of these appeals will have significant implications for the case and its resolution.