Supreme Court Rejects Trump's Bid to Overturn Carroll Verdict 2026

The Supreme Court has again rejected Trump's bid to overturn the E Jean Carroll verdict, cementing the $5 million judgment against the former president. This decision marks the final legal chapter in a case that has drawn national attention, involving allegations of sexual abuse and defamation. The court's unsigned order, issued without explanation, denied Trump's petition for rehearing, leaving the jury's unanimous verdict intact.

Background of the Case

In 2023, a federal jury found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing writer E Jean Carroll in the 1990s and for defaming her when he denied the allegations. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. Trump, who has consistently denied the claims, appealed the verdict, leading to a series of legal battles that reached the Supreme Court.

Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the verdict is now final and cannot be challenged in any court. The decision also upholds the earlier rulings by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which had affirmed the jury's findings.

Supreme Court's Decision

The Supreme Court's rejection of Trump's appeal is the second time the justices have declined to hear the case. In June, the court refused to review the verdict, and Trump's legal team subsequently filed a petition for rehearing. The court's denial on Monday effectively ends all legal avenues for Trump to overturn the judgment.

This development underscores the finality of the jury's decision and the strength of the evidence presented during the two-week trial. The court's action also highlights the limits of presidential immunity in civil cases involving conduct that predates or is unrelated to official duties.

Financial Implications

Following the initial verdict, Trump deposited the $5 million award, plus interest, into a court-held account. After the Supreme Court's first refusal to hear the appeal, a Manhattan federal judge ordered the release of these funds. Carroll's legal team confirmed that the total amount, approximately $5.6 million, has been disbursed to her.

In a separate defamation suit, a federal jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million in damages. That case, which concluded in 2024, also involved defamatory statements made by Trump after the first verdict. The Supreme Court's decision does not affect this separate judgment, which remains subject to its own appeals process.

Key Takeaways

• The Supreme Court has definitively rejected Trump's attempt to overturn the E Jean Carroll verdict.
• The $5 million judgment is now final, with funds already disbursed to Carroll.
• Trump's legal options are exhausted in this case, but a separate $83.3 million defamation judgment remains in litigation.
• The decision reinforces the principle that juries' verdicts in civil cases can withstand challenges from powerful figures.

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