Supreme Court Rejects Final Appeal in Landmark Civil Verdict
Washington, Monday, 17 August 2026.
On August 17, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to rehear President Donald Trump’s appeal, finalizing a $5 million sexual abuse and defamation verdict awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll.
Supreme Court Rejects Final Appeal in Landmark Civil Verdict
On August 17, 2026, the United States Supreme Court declined to rehear President Donald Trump’s appeal, finalizing a $5 million sexual abuse and defamation verdict awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll [1][2]. The high court issued a one-sentence order denying the request without comment or noted dissents, marking a definitive end to this specific phase of litigation [3]. This ruling cements the financial liabilities and legal precedents established by a Manhattan federal court trial, carrying ongoing reputational and political ramifications for the administration [1]. The decision comes after the court previously denied an initial appeal regarding the same verdict in late June 2026 [3][5].
Background of the Civil Liability
The legal proceedings originated from a 2023 civil jury trial which found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a Manhattan department store during the 1990s [1][4]. The jury also determined that Trump defamed Carroll in 2019 when he publicly denied her allegations and characterized them as a hoax [2][5]. Carroll filed the initial lawsuit alleging sexual assault in November 2022, following previous defamation claims filed in November 2019 [5]. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has stated he does not know Carroll [2].
Financial Settlement and Interest
President Trump has already turned over the $5 million damages award plus interest to Carroll [2]. The total payment made in July 2026 amounted to $5.6 million, reflecting the accumulation of interest on the original judgment [1][4]. The funds were held in an interest-bearing account pending the outcome of the Supreme Court petition before being released [5]. This transfer of assets occurred prior to the August 17 rehearing denial, ensuring Carroll received the awarded sum while legal challenges remained active [3].
Pending Litigation and Immunity Claims
Despite this finality, Trump maintains a separate pending appeal before the Supreme Court concerning an $83.3 million defamation verdict in favor of Carroll [2][5]. In that distinct case, Trump’s legal team argues that presidential immunity should shield him from liability for statements made while in office [3][4]. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on this separate matter, with action expected later in the year [2]. Trump’s attorneys previously contended that a rehearing on the $5 million verdict was required because the pending immunity questions could impact the disposition of the case [3].
Statements from Legal Representatives
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, stated that the jury’s unanimous verdict is now final and cannot be challenged in any court [1][4]. Conversely, a spokesman for Trump’s legal team described the proceedings as a Democrat-funded travesty and part of ongoing witch hunts [3][5]. Trump’s counsel had argued that the Court should hold the petition given the pending immunity questions, but the justices declined to intervene [3]. Legal experts noted that the request to reconsider the June rejection was an unusual maneuver, as the court rarely grants such requests [4].