Trump Seeks to Delay $83 Million Defamation Payment to E. Jean Carroll Pending Supreme Court Appeal

President Donald Trump's attorney has petitioned the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to temporarily prevent writer E. Jean Carroll from collecting an $83 million defamation award, pending an appeal to the Supreme Court.

In January 2024, a Manhattan jury awarded Carroll the sum after finding that Trump defamed her following her public allegations of sexual abuse. This followed a May 2023 jury decision that awarded Carroll $5 million, concluding that Trump had sexually abused her in a department store dressing room in 1996 and subsequently defamed her.

Trump has consistently denied the allegations, asserting he never knew Carroll and accusing her of making politically motivated claims to promote her memoir.

In the recent court filing, Trump's lawyer, Justin D. Smith, argued that immediate payment would cause "irreparable harm" to Trump, especially since Carroll has indicated plans to donate the award, potentially preventing recovery if the verdict is overturned.

Carroll's attorney does not oppose the request for a stay, provided Trump increases the bond by $7.4 million to cover potential post-judgment interest during the Supreme Court review.

Smith contends there is a "reasonable probability" the Supreme Court will hear the appeal, citing Trump's claim of absolute immunity from lawsuits related to statements made during his presidency.

This development follows the 2nd Circuit's recent decision to deny an en banc rehearing of the case, leaving the previous verdict intact.