Federal Appeals Court Upholds $83.3 Million Defamation Judgment Against Trump in E. Jean Carroll Case

September 8, 2025 — A federal appeals court in New York has upheld an $83.3 million defamation judgment against President Donald Trump in favor of writer E. Jean Carroll, rejecting his claims of presidential immunity and other arguments to overturn the verdict. The ruling, issued on Monday by a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, solidifies a significant legal setback for Trump in a case stemming from his repeated attacks on Carroll’s credibility after she accused him of sexual assault in the 1990s.

Background of the Case

The defamation lawsuit originated from statements Trump made in 2019 during his first presidential term, in response to Carroll’s allegations that he sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump denied the allegations, claiming he had never met Carroll, called her accusations a “hoax” and a “con job,” and suggested her memoir—where she detailed the alleged assault—belonged in the “fiction section.” A federal jury in January 2024 found these statements to be false and defamatory, awarding Carroll $83.3 million, including $18 million in compensatory damages and $65 million in punitive damages.

This case is distinct from a separate 2023 verdict, where another jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million. That earlier verdict was also upheld by the 2nd Circuit, and Trump has signaled plans to appeal it to the Supreme Court.

Appeals Court Ruling

In a 70-page decision, the 2nd Circuit panel—consisting of Judges Denny Chin (appointed by Barack Obama), Maria Araújo Kahn, and Sarah A. L. Merriam (both appointed by Joe Biden)—rejected Trump’s primary argument that his statements were protected by presidential immunity. Trump’s legal team cited a July 2024 Supreme Court ruling that granted immunity for certain official acts during his first term. However, the panel ruled that this immunity did not apply to Trump’s defamatory statements, as they were not part of his official duties.

The court also dismissed Trump’s claims that the district court made erroneous rulings and that the $83.3 million award was excessive. The panel described the damages as “fair and reasonable” given the “extraordinary and egregious facts of this case,” noting that Trump’s statements led to “ongoing and prolific harassment” of Carroll, including death threats and threats of physical harm. The judges emphasized Trump’s “reckless indifference” to Carroll’s safety, which justified the significant punitive damages.

Reactions and Implications

Carroll’s legal team celebrated the ruling, with attorney Roberta Kaplan stating that the decision reaffirmed that “the president is not above the law.” Conversely, Trump’s lawyers argued that the verdict “severely damages the presidency” and sought a new trial, a request the court denied.

The financial burden on Trump is growing, as New York’s 9% annual interest rate on the judgment has increased the total amount owed since the January 2024 verdict. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiments, with some users decrying the ruling as a “farcical verdict from a rigged court,” while others hailed it as justice for Carroll, emphasizing Trump’s liability for sexual assault and defamation.

Broader Context

The upheld judgment adds to Trump’s mounting legal challenges, including a separate appeal in the $5 million sexual abuse and defamation case, for which his lawyers have until November 10, 2025, to petition the Supreme Court. The 2nd Circuit’s ruling reinforces a legal precedent that public figures, including presidents, can face significant consequences for defamatory statements, particularly when they cause tangible harm.

As Trump navigates these legal battles, the case continues to fuel public debate over accountability, presidential conduct, and the intersection of free speech and defamation law. For Carroll, the decision marks a significant victory in her pursuit of justice after years of harassment stemming from her allegations.

Sources: Politico, PBS News, NBC News, The Independent, MSNBC, Forbes, ABC News