The Supreme Court has refused to hear President Donald Trump’s appeal of a jury verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll and later defaming her. The decision leaves in place the $5 million judgment awarded to Carroll after a 2023 civil trial.
The justices issued a brief order on Monday declining to review the case. As is common in such decisions, the court gave no explanation and noted no dissents.
Trump’s legal team argued that mistakes made during the trial unfairly influenced the jury. They said the judge allowed “highly inflammatory” evidence, including testimony from two other women who accused Trump of sexual abuse years earlier. Trump has denied the allegations made by all three women.
His attorneys also argued that the trial judge violated federal evidence rules. They claimed the case placed an unfair burden on Trump’s responsibilities as president, although the verdict was issued before he returned to the White House.
Attorney Justin D. Smith wrote in court filings, “This mistreatment of a President cannot be allowed to stand.” Trump, a Republican, has since nominated Smith to serve as a federal appeals court judge.
The ruling comes as the Supreme Court continues issuing major decisions that affect key parts of Trump’s policy agenda. In recent months, Trump has openly criticized the court after several unfavorable rulings, including a decision striking down global tariffs imposed under emergency powers.
Following Monday’s decision, Trump’s legal team released a statement saying: “The American People stand with President Trump as they demand an immediate end to all of the Witch Hunts, including the Democrat-funded travesty of the Carroll Hoaxes. President Trump will keep winning against Liberal Lawfare, as he continues to focus on his mission to Make America Great Again.”
Carroll’s attorneys had urged the Supreme Court not to hear the appeal. They argued that testimony from the other women was legally relevant because the allegations shared similar details. They also said Judge Lewis Kaplan followed established legal standards used in courts across the country.
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Attorney Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to the judge, wrote, “This question is not worthy of review.”
After the Supreme Court’s decision, she said the outcome confirms that the jury’s findings remain in effect.
“His multiple efforts to appeal that verdict have all failed and today’s ruling ends his quest to avoid accountability for his actions,” she said.
During the 2023 trial, Carroll, a longtime advice columnist and former television talk show host, testified that Trump assaulted her during what began as a friendly encounter in the spring of 1996. She said the attack happened inside a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman, the luxury department store located across from Trump Tower in Manhattan.
The jury concluded that Trump was liable for sexually abusing Carroll and for defaming her after he publicly denied her allegations in 2022.
Trump is also challenging another judgment involving Carroll. In a separate defamation case, a jury awarded her an additional $83.3 million. His lawyers have said they plan to ask the Supreme Court to review that ruling as well.
The president has achieved more favorable results in other legal disputes. A New York appeals court overturned a civil fraud penalty that exceeded $500 million. The Supreme Court also granted Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution in 2024, although it later declined his request to stop sentencing in his New York hush money case.
