Judge Orders Release of $5.8 Million to E. Jean Carroll in Trump Sexual Abuse and Defamation Case
A federal judge has ordered that writer E. Jean Carroll receive $5.8 million held in escrow after President Donald Trump lost a civil lawsuit over sexual abuse and defamation. The ruling follows the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to let the jury's verdict stand, although Trump has continued to challenge the judgment through the appeals process.
The money was placed in escrow by Trump shortly after a New York jury found in 2023 that he had sexually abused Carroll in the 1990s and later defamed her by publicly denying her allegations.
Trump's legal team immediately appealed the latest order, but an emergency request to block the payment was denied by a federal appeals judge.
Why did the judge order the payment?
U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan ruled that there was no longer a legal reason to keep the funds in escrow after the Supreme Court declined to overturn the jury's verdict.
Trump originally deposited $5 million following the 2023 judgment. With accrued interest, the amount has increased to approximately $5.8 million.
In his ruling, Kaplan wrote:
"Trump has been stalling this case for years."
He added:
"It is time for him to 'do equity' and pay the judgment."
What was Trump found liable for?
A federal jury concluded in 2023 that Donald Trump sexually abused E. Jean Carroll in a dressing room at a Manhattan department store in 1996.
The jury also found that Trump defamed Carroll after she publicly described the encounter in a 2019 memoir, during his first term as president.
Throughout the case, Trump denied Carroll's allegations, stating that he never knew her and claiming the accusations were politically motivated.
He also previously said:
"She's not my type."
The lawsuit became possible after New York enacted legislation temporarily allowing survivors of older sexual abuse allegations to file civil lawsuits even after the normal statute of limitations had expired.
Why did Trump's appeal fail?
Trump's attorneys argued that the payment should remain on hold because they intend to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider the case.
They also claimed the legal proceedings had been influenced by Trump's political opponents.
However, Judge Eunice C. Lee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied the emergency request to block the transfer of funds.
Carroll's attorneys argued the case had already been delayed for years.
They wrote:
"It is time for this case to come to an end."
They added:
"Carroll has waited more than three years for a jury's verdict to be paid. She should not have to wait any longer."
What is happening with Trump's separate $83 million case?
Trump is also appealing a separate jury award ordering him to pay approximately $83 million in additional defamation damages to Carroll.
That judgment stemmed from statements Trump made while president after Carroll first accused him of sexual abuse.
During the second trial, Judge Kaplan instructed jurors to accept the findings of the earlier case and decide only the amount of damages.
Trump's attorneys criticized that decision, arguing they were prevented from telling jurors that the alleged assault never occurred.
When the Second Circuit previously declined to rehear the appeal, Circuit Judge Denny Chin wrote that Trump's repeated public statements had caused significant harm to Carroll.
Chin wrote:
"As a result of Trump's statements, Carroll was harassed and humiliated, subjected to death threats, and feared for her physical safety for years."
He further stated:
"And Trump showed no remorse, continuing his attacks against Carroll during and after two federal trials."
What happens next?
The release of the $5.8 million does not end the broader legal dispute between Trump and Carroll.
Trump's legal team has indicated it will continue pursuing additional appeals, while the separate appeal involving the $83 million defamation judgment remains pending.
Questions About the E. Jean Carroll Case
Why is E. Jean Carroll receiving $5.8 million?
A federal judge ordered the release of money held in escrow after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed a jury verdict finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation to remain in effect.
Why was the money in escrow?
Trump deposited the funds after the 2023 civil verdict while he pursued appeals. The amount increased to approximately $5.8 million because of accrued interest.
Is Donald Trump still appealing the case?
Yes. Trump's lawyers have said they will continue seeking further review despite the release of the escrowed funds.
What is the separate $83 million judgment?
It is a separate defamation award issued after another federal jury found Trump liable for additional defamatory statements made about Carroll. That judgment is also being appealed.
The latest ruling represents another significant development in the long-running legal dispute between Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll. While Carroll is now set to receive the escrowed funds, additional appeals and the separate defamation case mean the broader legal battle is likely to continue.
