Appeals Court Upholds $83 Million Judgment Against Trump for Defaming E. Jean Carroll
In a landmark decision, a federal appeals court has reaffirmed a massive $83.3 million judgment against President Donald Trump for defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, solidifying a legal rebuke that resonates across the nation. The ruling, tied to Trump’s 2019 denials of Carroll’s sexual assault allegations, underscores the consequences of public statements by high-profile figures. As this case continues to fuel debates over accountability and free speech, here’s what you need to know about the verdict, its context, and what may come next.
Trending: Trump’s Legal Battles Intensify in Second Term
The upheld judgment is generating buzz as one of several legal challenges facing Trump during his second presidency. Social media platforms like X are abuzz with discussions about the case, with hashtags like #TrumpCarroll and #DefamationVerdict trending. The ruling not only highlights ongoing tensions around Trump’s public rhetoric but also raises questions about how his legal troubles might shape his political future.
Key Details of the Court Ruling
On September 8, 2025, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York unanimously upheld a January 2024 jury verdict ordering Trump to pay $83.3 million to E. Jean Carroll for defamatory statements made in 2019. The jury found that Trump’s denials of Carroll’s allegations—that he sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s—were made with “common law malice,” damaging her reputation as a former Elle magazine columnist. The award includes $11 million for reputational harm, $7.3 million for emotional distress, and $65 million in punitive damages, which the court deemed “fair and reasonable.”
The appeals court rejected Trump’s arguments that he was protected by presidential immunity and that the damages were excessive. The three-judge panel, consisting of Judges Denny Chin, Sarah A. L. Merriam, and Maria Araújo Kahn, stated, “Trump has failed to identify any grounds that would warrant reconsidering our prior holding on presidential immunity.” They further noted that the “degree of reprehensibility” in Trump’s conduct was “remarkably high, perhaps unprecedented.”
Voices from the Courtroom and Beyond
Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, emphasized the verdict’s significance in a statement: “E. Jean Carroll is very pleased with today’s decision. Although President Trump continues to try every possible maneuver to challenge the findings of two separate juries, those efforts have failed.” Kaplan previously argued that the substantial punitive damages were necessary to deter Trump from further defaming Carroll, citing his continued attacks during and after the trial.
Trump’s legal team has not issued an immediate response to the ruling, but earlier filings indicated plans to escalate the case to the U.S. Supreme Court, particularly citing a 2024 immunity ruling as a potential defense. Legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin commented on CNN, “This decision reinforces that even a sitting president isn’t above the law when it comes to personal conduct. The Supreme Court appeal is a long shot, but it’s Trump’s last card to play.”
Background: A Long-Running Legal Saga
The case stems from Carroll’s 2019 accusation, published in New York magazine, that Trump assaulted her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump, then president, responded by calling her a liar and suggesting her claims were motivated by book sales, prompting Carroll to file a defamation lawsuit (known as Carroll I). A second lawsuit (Carroll II), filed in 2022, addressed the assault itself and additional defamatory statements, resulting in a 2023 jury awarding Carroll $5 million for sexual abuse and defamation. That verdict was also upheld on appeal in December 2024.
The $83.3 million judgment, awarded in January 2024, focused solely on damages for the 2019 defamation, as U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan had already ruled Trump’s statements were defamatory. The trial saw intense moments, including Trump’s brief testimony and his disruptive comments, which led Judge Kaplan to warn he could be removed from the courtroom.
Impact and Next Steps
The ruling is a significant blow to Trump as he navigates his second term, potentially requiring him to pay nearly $90 million, including interest, unless the Supreme Court intervenes. Legal experts suggest a Supreme Court appeal faces hurdles, given the court’s prior rejection of Trump’s immunity claims in this context. Politically, the verdict could deepen divisions among voters, with supporters viewing it as part of a broader “witch hunt,” as Trump has claimed, while critics see it as a victory for accountability.
For Carroll, the award is a step toward restoring her reputation. She has expressed plans to establish an E. Jean Carroll Foundation to support causes like women’s reproductive rights and voting rights, using the damages to counter Trump’s influence. However, Trump’s ongoing public statements about Carroll could invite further legal action, as her legal team has indicated she may sue again if he continues to defame her.
Conclusion: A Verdict with Lasting Resonance
The 2nd Circuit’s decision to uphold the $83.3 million judgment against Trump marks a pivotal moment in a case that blends legal, political, and cultural threads. It reaffirms that no one, not even a president, is immune from consequences for personal misconduct. For readers, the takeaway is clear: accountability matters, and the courts remain a critical arena for resolving disputes that shape public discourse. As Trump weighs a Supreme Court appeal, the nation watches to see how this saga will influence his presidency and beyond.