Story Highlights
- A federal judge ordered the release of nearly $5.8 million that President Trump owes E. Jean Carroll.
- The order followed the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear Trump’s appeal of the 2023 verdict.
- Trump’s legal team immediately appealed, continuing to challenge the payout despite earlier court losses.
What Happened
A federal judge ordered the release of nearly $5.8 million in court-held funds that President Donald Trump owes writer E. Jean Carroll after the Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal of the 2023 verdict against him.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that Carroll can collect the money, which has been held in escrow since a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing her in the 1990s and later defaming her when he denied the allegation.
The original award was $5 million, but the amount has grown to about $5.8 million with interest.
- The Supreme Court declined to take Trump’s appeal on June 29.
- Judge Kaplan said the time for further delay had run out.
- Trump’s lawyers quickly appealed and sought an emergency stay.
Trump’s legal team argued that the case was not fully over because they had asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its refusal to hear the appeal. Carroll’s attorneys countered that such requests are rarely granted and should not delay payment.
Kaplan rejected Trump’s argument, writing that the president had been stalling the case for years. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said in a filing that “this is the end of the line” and that it was time for Trump to pay.
Within an hour of the order, Trump’s lawyers filed a notice of appeal and asked the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for an emergency stay. The appeals court quickly rejected that request.
Why It Matters
The ruling matters because it moves Carroll closer to collecting a judgment that has been tied up in years of appeals and legal maneuvering.
For Trump and his supporters, the case remains part of a broader pattern of legal fights they view as politically motivated. Trump’s legal team has repeatedly attacked the Carroll litigation as unfair and has argued that the president continues to have legal options.
But the courts have so far rejected those efforts in this case. The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the appeal left Trump with few remaining paths to prevent release of the escrowed money.
- Carroll may soon collect the $5.8 million judgment.
- Trump’s team is still fighting the order through additional appeals.
- The case remains politically sensitive because it involves a sitting president and a civil judgment tied to personal conduct allegations.
The case also matters because it shows how long civil judgments can remain unresolved when a well-resourced defendant continues pursuing appeals and emergency motions.
For Carroll, the ruling is a major step toward enforcing the verdict. For Trump, it is another legal setback, though his team is continuing to challenge the payout.
Political and Public Context
The Carroll case has remained politically charged throughout Trump’s presidency.
Trump and his allies have framed the case as part of a broader campaign of legal attacks against him. His legal spokesperson again described the case as a “Witch Hunt” and argued that the public stands with the president against what they called the Carroll “Hoaxes.”
Critics, however, say the ruling reflects normal judicial enforcement after Trump exhausted the traditional appeals process.
The case is also separate from a much larger $83.3 million defamation verdict that Carroll won in 2024. That judgment remains under appeal, meaning Trump still faces additional financial exposure tied to Carroll’s claims.
For Trump’s supporters, the continued appeals may be viewed as necessary resistance against cases they believe are politically driven. For Carroll’s legal team, the latest order is proof that the courts are no longer willing to allow delay.
What Happens Next
The immediate question is when the escrowed funds will be released to Carroll.
The 2nd Circuit already rejected Trump’s emergency stay request, making it more likely that the money could be disbursed soon unless Trump’s team secures another successful legal intervention.
- Carroll’s team is expected to keep pressing for release of the money.
- Trump’s lawyers may continue pursuing appeal options.
- The separate $83.3 million defamation judgment remains under litigation.
For Trump, the case adds to a broader set of legal and financial battles unfolding during his presidency.
For Carroll, collecting the $5.8 million would represent both a practical and symbolic victory after years of litigation.
