New York — A federal judge ruled on July 9 that E. Jean Carroll can collect $5.8 million from President Donald Trump.
The funds had remained in escrow since a 2023 jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The order follows the Supreme Court’s decision last week to decline hearing Trump’s appeal.
Background
Carroll filed the lawsuit in 2019 after publicly accusing Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s.
A jury in May 2023 found Trump liable on the sexual abuse and defamation claims and awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. A separate defamation trial later added to the total.
Trump appealed the verdict through multiple courts, arguing procedural errors and challenging the award amount.
Key developments
The Supreme Court declined to take up the case in early July 2026, leaving the lower court rulings in place.
On July 9, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered the release of the escrowed funds to Carroll.
The decision clears the final major legal hurdle in the civil case that has run for more than three years.
Impact
Carroll will receive the full $5.8 million award plus any accrued interest held in escrow.
The outcome reinforces the jury’s findings in one of the most prominent civil cases involving a sitting president in recent decades.
Trump’s legal team has not indicated further immediate steps in this specific matter.
What next
Payment processing is expected to begin in the coming days through standard court procedures.
Carroll’s attorneys have stated they will pursue full collection if the funds are not transferred promptly.
Trump has previously said he plans to continue fighting related legal and public challenges outside this case.
