Supreme Court Schedules Conference to Evaluate Trump’s Appeal in Carroll Civil Case
Washington D.C., Thursday, 29 January 2026.
The Supreme Court has officially placed President Trump’s petition regarding the E. Jean Carroll civil verdict on the docket for its February 20 closed-door conference. In this pivotal legal juncture, the Justices will determine whether to review the 2023 federal jury decision that found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, resulting in a $5 million penalty. The appeal hinges on the controversial admission of “propensity evidence” during the trial, specifically the “Access Hollywood” tape and testimony from other accusers, which the defense argues violated federal evidence rules. While the Court historically accepts fewer than 2 percent of such petitions, this case carries significant weight regarding the interpretation of evidentiary standards in high-profile civil litigation. A decision on whether to grant the writ of certiorari could be announced as early as late February, potentially setting the stage for a historic ruling on the boundaries of legal accountability for public figures.
Scrutinizing Evidentiary Standards
At the core of the former President’s legal strategy is a challenge to the evidentiary rulings made during the 2023 civil trial. Trump’s legal team contends that the inclusion of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape, in which he was recorded making lewd comments about women, along with testimony from other women accusing him of sexual misconduct, constituted an unfair prejudice against the defendant [1][2]. Furthermore, the defense argues that Trump was improperly barred from cross-examining E. Jean Carroll regarding a “Democratic mega-donor” who allegedly assisted in financing her litigation costs [1][3]. Trump’s attorneys maintain that these evidentiary decisions violated federal rules and prevented a fair assessment of the facts by the jury, which ultimately found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation [1][3].
Financial Implications and Procedural Timeline
The financial stakes for the former President are substantial, extending beyond the $5 million judgment currently under review [1]. This specific petition concerns the 2023 verdict for sexual abuse and defamation; however, Trump faces a separate liability from a second trial where he was ordered to pay $83.3 million for additional defamation claims [1][4]. A federal appeals court upheld this larger $83.3 million verdict in September 2025, though that specific case has not yet reached the Supreme Court [1][4]. Should both verdicts ultimately stand, Trump’s total financial liability to Carroll would amount to 88.3 million, a figure that underscores the severe economic consequences of these prolonged legal battles.