In a second rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump, the United States Supreme Court chose not to review his appeal of a $5 million US ruling in favor of E. Jean Carroll. The decision stems from a jury finding Trump responsible for sexually assaulting and defaming the former magazine columnist. Trump’s lawyers argued that the trial was unfair, but the justices declined to reconsider their previous decision from June. The court’s unsigned order provided no explanation, a rare occurrence for such requests.
Additionally, the Supreme Court is considering Trump’s appeal of an $83.3 million US defamation verdict related to statements made during his first term as president. This appeal centers on the argument of presidential immunity shielding Trump from Carroll’s claims. The legal battle between Trump and Carroll began when she accused him of raping her in the 1990s in a Manhattan store dressing room, to which Trump vehemently denied.
The $5 million US verdict resulted from Trump’s dismissal of Carroll’s allegations as a “hoax” and a “con job” in a social media post. Although the jury did not find Trump guilty of rape as claimed by Carroll, they did rule that he had sexually abused and defamed her. Following the Supreme Court’s rejection of Trump’s appeal, Carroll received nearly $5.63 million US from Trump, encompassing the initial civil verdict and accrued interest.
In Trump’s plea for a rehearing, his legal team emphasized the significance of presidential immunity, especially in light of the potential impact on the $83.3 million US verdict. The Supreme Court had previously established full immunity for former presidents from criminal prosecution for actions within their constitutional powers during their term. It is important to note that the Carroll cases are civil, not criminal, lawsuits.