A federal judge has ruled that writer E. Jean Carroll can receive the $5.8 million that President Donald Trump placed in escrow after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The decision follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s refusal to review the 2023 civil verdict, allowing the judgment to move forward.
Trump’s legal team has already filed a new appeal seeking to block the payment while the case continues through the courts.
Ruling
U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan ruled Wednesday that the funds held in escrow should be released to Carroll.
Trump had previously deposited the money while pursuing appeals. The original $5 million judgment has increased to approximately $5.8 million after interest was added.
The ruling follows the Supreme Court’s recent decision to leave the 2023 verdict in place.
Case Background
The civil lawsuit centered on allegations made by E. Jean Carroll that Trump sexually abused her in a dressing room at a luxury Manhattan department store in 1996.
Carroll later described the alleged incident in her 2019 memoir. Trump publicly denied the allegations, calling them false and stating that Carroll was “not my type.”
In 2023, a federal jury concluded that Trump sexually abused Carroll and later defamed her through his public statements. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.
Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Carroll says the assault occurred in Manhattan. |
| 2019 | Carroll publicly detailed the allegation in her memoir. |
| 2023 | Jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. |
| 2026 | Judge approved release of about $5.8 million with interest. |
Trump’s Appeal
Trump’s attorneys immediately asked the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to prevent the money from being released while they continue challenging the verdict.
His legal team argued that they intend to pursue every available appeal and accused political opponents of using the legal system against the president.
Carroll’s attorneys did not immediately comment following Wednesday’s ruling.
Trial
Trump did not attend the 2023 civil trial.
During the proceedings, Carroll testified that what began as a friendly encounter at a department store became a violent assault.
Trump has consistently denied ever knowing Carroll and argued that she fabricated the allegations for political and financial reasons.
The lawsuit became possible after New York temporarily changed state law, allowing survivors of older sexual abuse allegations to file civil claims that would otherwise have been barred by the statute of limitations.
Separate Defamation Case
Trump is also appealing a separate jury award ordering him to pay Carroll $83 million in defamation damages.
That verdict followed a 2024 trial focusing only on how much compensation Carroll should receive for additional statements Trump made after the first verdict.
Judge Kaplan instructed jurors in that case to accept the earlier jury’s findings and determine only the amount of damages.
Trump briefly testified during the later trial.
Appeals Court Findings
In declining to rehear Trump’s appeal in the separate defamation case, Circuit Judge Denny Chin wrote that Trump repeatedly accused Carroll of lying for political and financial reasons over several years.
According to the court, those statements contributed to harassment, threats, and ongoing harm experienced by Carroll.
Judge Chin also noted that Trump continued making public remarks about Carroll during and after the federal trials.
What Happens Next
Although Judge Kaplan has authorized the release of the $5.8 million, Trump’s latest appeal asks the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to pause the payment while the legal challenge proceeds.
At the same time, Trump’s appeal of the separate $83 million defamation judgment remains ongoing. Both cases continue to move through the federal court system, meaning additional legal decisions are expected before all appeals are resolved.
