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Former President Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a jury’s finding that he sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll in the mid-1990s, escalating a legal battle that has already resulted in $88.3 million in damages against him.
In a filing submitted Monday, Trump’s legal team, led by St. Louis attorney Justin D. Smith, argued that the $5 million verdict from the 2023 civil trial should be thrown out due to “indefensible evidentiary rulings” that allowed Carroll’s lawyers to present “highly inflammatory propensity evidence” against him.
The case stems from Carroll’s allegations that Trump sexually assaulted her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury Manhattan department store, in spring 1996. Carroll, a longtime advice columnist and former television host, testified that what began as a friendly encounter turned violent. The jury found Trump liable not only for the assault but also for defaming Carroll when he denied her allegations in October 2022.
Trump’s lawyers have dismissed Carroll’s claims as a “politically motivated hoax” and criticized Judge Lewis A. Kaplan for what they described as warping federal evidence rules to benefit Carroll’s case. They argue that the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to uphold the verdict conflicts with how other federal appeals courts apply such rules.
“President Trump has clearly and consistently denied that this supposed incident ever occurred,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in their filing. “No physical or DNA evidence corroborates Carroll’s story. There were no eyewitnesses, no video evidence, and no police report or investigation.”
When contacted for comment, Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan referred to her previous statement from September, when Trump’s team first indicated they would appeal to the Supreme Court. At that time, she expressed doubt that Trump could “present any legal issues in the Carroll cases that merit review by the United States Supreme Court.”
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team characterized the Supreme Court appeal as part of Trump’s fight against “Liberal Lawfare,” claiming that “The American People stand with President Trump as they demand an immediate end to all of the Witch Hunts.”
In December 2023, a three-judge appellate panel rejected Trump’s claims that Judge Kaplan’s decisions had compromised the trial, including allowing testimony from two other women who accused Trump of similar acts in the 1970s and 2005. Trump has denied all allegations from all three women.
After the 2nd Circuit denied Trump’s petition for a full appellate court review in June, Trump faced two choices: accept the verdict and allow Carroll to collect the judgment he had placed in escrow, or continue fighting at the Supreme Court, where the conservative majority—including three justices he appointed—might be more receptive to his arguments.
Trump did not attend the 2023 trial but made a brief appearance at a subsequent defamation trial in 2024, which resulted in an additional $83.3 million judgment against him. This second trial stemmed from comments Trump made in 2019 when Carroll first publicly accused him in her memoir.
In the Supreme Court filing, Trump’s lawyers argued that Judge Kaplan “improperly prevented” Trump from contesting the first jury’s finding of sexual abuse during the second trial, leading to an “unjust judgment of $83.3 million.” Although the 2nd Circuit upheld this second verdict on September 8, calling the damages “fair and reasonable,” Trump has requested that the full appellate court reconsider.
Trump has recently had some success in challenging civil judgments. In August, a New York appeals court overturned the penalty in a state civil fraud lawsuit against him.
This appeal to the Supreme Court represents the latest chapter in Trump’s ongoing legal battles as he navigates multiple court cases while maintaining his political presence as the Republican presidential nominee.
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14 Comments
As with any high-profile case, it’s important to avoid rushing to judgment and allow the judicial process to unfold. I’m confident the Supreme Court will carefully consider the merits of this case.
Well said. The Court’s role is to uphold the law and ensure a fair hearing, not to be swayed by public opinion or political pressure.
This case raises important questions about the balance between individual rights and the public interest. I hope the Court will render a thoughtful, well-reasoned judgment.
Agreed. The Court’s ruling could set an important precedent on these complex issues.
While the allegations are serious, the legal process must be allowed to play out. I trust the Supreme Court will carefully weigh the arguments on both sides before reaching a decision.
Well said. Upholding the rule of law is essential, even in high-profile cases involving public figures.
This is a complex case with significant implications. I hope the Court will uphold the integrity of the judicial system and make a ruling based solely on the facts and applicable laws.
Absolutely. The American people deserve to have confidence in the fairness and independence of the courts.
It will be fascinating to see how the Supreme Court approaches this case. Regardless of one’s personal views, the judicial process must be respected.
Precisely. The Court’s decision should be based solely on the law and the evidence, not on political considerations.
Interesting case. It will be important to see how the Supreme Court evaluates the legal arguments and evidence on both sides. Maintaining rule of law and due process is critical, regardless of who is involved.
Agreed. The Supreme Court should carefully review the trial proceedings to ensure a fair and impartial outcome.
This case touches on sensitive issues of sexual assault and defamation. The Supreme Court must carefully weigh the competing interests and reach a fair, impartial conclusion.
Agreed. The Court’s ruling will have significant implications for both the parties involved and the broader legal landscape.