Judge Orders $5.8M be Paid to E. Jean Carroll in Trump Case

Manhattan Court Directs Trump to Disburse $5.8 Million to E. Jean Carroll

Tempatdonasi.com – A federal judge in New York has issued a definitive order requiring Donald Trump to release $5.8 million in damages to writer E. Jean Carroll. This financial directive follows a lengthy legal battle that began years ago when a Manhattan jury found the former U.S. president liable for both sexual assault and defamation against the author. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan confirms that funds previously secured in an escrow account must now be transferred to Carroll, bringing closure to one of the most prominent civil cases involving a sitting or former American president.

The Escrow Release and Judicial Reasoning

Judge Kaplan’s memorandum provided clear justification for the payment release, noting that Trump had engaged in deliberate delays throughout the proceedings. The court document emphasized that the defendant had been “stalling this case for years,” creating unnecessary prolongation of the matter. According to the judge’s written decision, “It is time for him to ‘do equity’ and pay the judgment.” This language underscores the court’s view that the legal process should move forward without further obstruction from the Trump camp.

The $5.8 million total comprises the original verdict amounts plus accumulated interest. In 2023, a jury initially awarded Carroll $2 million for sexual assault and $3 million for defamatory statements made by Trump. The additional $800,000 represents interest that accrued during the period the money remained in escrow while appeals were pending. This financial arrangement ensured that Carroll would receive the full value of her award regardless of how long the appeals process extended.

Origins of the Allegations

The controversy traces back to 2019 when Carroll, then 82 years old, published a memoir detailing her encounter with Trump. She accused the businessman and politician of assaulting her inside a New York City department store. At the time of the alleged incident, Trump was serving his first term as the 45th President of the United States. The memoir brought her allegations into the public spotlight, prompting Trump to respond vigorously.

Trump’s initial reaction included denying that he knew Carroll personally and dismissing her claims as unfounded. In a widely reported interview, he characterized her as “not my type,” a statement that later became central to the defamation portion of the case. These responses, combined with his denial of the assault, formed the basis for Carroll’s legal action seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.

Legal Appeals and Political Framing

Throughout the legal proceedings, Trump’s legal team has pursued multiple avenues to delay or overturn the verdict. The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal against the original 2023 verdict, allowing the judgment to stand. However, his attorneys continued to argue that the case was politically motivated. Following Judge Kaplan’s order to release the funds, a spokesperson for Trump stated that “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.”

In appellate filings, Trump’s lawyers contended that Judge Kaplan’s decision should not be executed because Trump had requested the Supreme Court to reconsider its earlier ruling. They argued that the pending reconsideration created uncertainty about the finality of the judgment. However, late on Wednesday, a judge on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected this request to halt the money transfer, effectively clearing the path for payment.

Looking Forward

Carroll’s legal representatives expressed satisfaction with the appellate court’s decision. In their filing, they noted that “Carroll has waited more than three years for a jury’s verdict to be paid. She should not have to wait any longer.” The attorneys emphasized that “It is time this case comes to an end,” signaling their expectation that the financial obligation will be fulfilled promptly.

It is worth noting that this $5.8 million award is separate from another significant verdict. In 2024, a different Manhattan jury granted Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation case. Trump is currently appealing that larger judgment as well, meaning his legal challenges in Carroll’s cases continue on multiple fronts. The ongoing appeals process demonstrates that while the immediate payment has been ordered, the broader legal saga may extend further before reaching complete resolution.

“Defendant has been stalling this case for years,” Kaplan wrote, detailing his decision. “It is time for him to ‘do equity’ and pay the judgment,” the memorandum read.

“Carroll has waited more than three years for a jury’s verdict to be paid. She should not have to wait any longer,” Carroll’s lawyers wrote in a filing with the appellate court.