E. Jean Carroll asked a federal judge on June 30, 2026, to release more than $5 million that Donald Trump was ordered to pay after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The request came one day after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Trump’s final appeal of the verdict, clearing the way for Carroll to collect the damages [1][2][9].
What Did the Supreme Court Decide About Trump’s Appeal in the E. Jean Carroll Case?
The U.S. Supreme Court denied Donald Trump’s request to review and overturn the $5 million verdict in the E. Jean Carroll case, ending his final avenue for appealing the jury’s decision [1][2]. The decision was issued on June 29, 2026, and came without detailed explanation, as is typical when the Court declines to hear a case.
The ruling means the jury’s May 2023 verdict stands in full. Trump had asked the justices to examine whether the trial court improperly allowed certain evidence and testimony during the trial. The Supreme Court’s rejection followed an earlier denial from a federal appeals court in April 2026, which had refused to pause the judgment or grant a new trial [5].
Key timeline events:
- May 2023: Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, orders $5 million in damages
- April 2026: Federal appeals court refuses Trump’s appeal [5]
- June 2026: Trump asks Supreme Court to intervene [3]
- June 29, 2026: Supreme Court denies Trump’s appeal [1][2]
- June 30, 2026: Carroll asks judge to release the $5 million [9]
The Supreme Court’s decision was not a ruling on the merits of the case. By declining to hear the appeal, the Court let the lower court rulings stand without comment [2].
How Much Money Does E. Jean Carroll Want Released and Why?
E. Jean Carroll’s legal team asked a federal judge to release more than $5 million held in a court-controlled account, arguing that Trump has exhausted his appeal options and there is no legal basis to continue withholding the funds [9].
The $5 million represents the full jury award from the 2023 civil trial, which included:
- Compensatory damages: Approximately $2 million for the sexual abuse finding
- Punitive damages: Approximately $3 million for defamation
- Accrued interest: Additional amounts that have accumulated since the 2023 verdict
Carroll’s attorneys filed the motion on June 30, 2026, just one day after the Supreme Court’s denial. The motion argues that because no further appeals are available, the court should order the immediate release of the funds to Carroll [9].
What Happens to the $5 Million If the Judge Approves the Release?
If the judge approves Carroll’s request, the funds held in the court registry or escrow account would be transferred to Carroll and her legal team. The money has been sitting in a court-controlled account since Trump posted a bond or deposited the funds to pause enforcement during the appeals process.
The judge would issue an order directing the court clerk to disburse the funds, typically within a matter of days or weeks after the motion is granted.
How Much Has Trump Been Ordered to Pay E. Jean Carroll Total?
Trump faces two separate financial judgments from the E. Jean Carroll litigation:
| Case | Verdict Year | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carroll v. Trump (first case) | 2023 | $5 million | Supreme Court appeal denied; release requested |
| Carroll v. Trump (second case) | 2024 | $83.3 million | On appeal |
The $5 million case involved Carroll’s claims that Trump sexually abused her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s and then defamed her by denying it. The $83.3 million case was a separate defamation trial focused on Trump’s statements while he was president [1][9].
What Is the E. Jean Carroll Defamation Case About?
The E. Jean Carroll case centers on allegations that Donald Trump sexually abused writer E. Jean Carroll in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. When Carroll went public with her account in 2019, Trump denied the allegations, accused her of lying for political purposes, and disparaged her character [1][8].
Carroll sued Trump under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily allowed victims of sexual assault to file civil claims after the statute of limitations had expired. A federal jury in New York found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in May 2023, though the jury did not find him liable for rape as Carroll had also alleged [1].
How Long Has the E. Jean Carroll Case Been Going On?
The legal battle has spanned several years:
- 2019: Carroll publishes her allegation in a book excerpt
- 2019: Trump denies the claims, prompting Carroll’s defamation lawsuit
- 2022: Carroll files a second lawsuit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act
- May 2023: Jury returns $5 million verdict against Trump
- January 2024: Second trial results in $83.3 million defamation verdict
- 2024–2026: Trump pursues appeals through multiple courts
What Was Trump’s Legal Argument in the Appeal to the Supreme Court?
Trump’s legal team argued that the trial court made several procedural errors that prejudiced the jury against him. Their primary arguments included claims that the judge improperly allowed certain evidence, including the Access Hollywood tape and testimony from other women who accused Trump of similar misconduct [3][6].
Trump’s attorneys also argued that the trial court should not have allowed Carroll to amend her claims during the proceedings and that certain jury instructions were flawed. The Supreme Court did not accept these arguments or provide any explanation for its denial [2][3].
Can Trump Still Appeal the E. Jean Carroll Verdict?
With the Supreme Court’s denial, Trump has effectively exhausted his appeal options for the $5 million verdict. The Supreme Court was Trump’s last avenue for federal review of the case [1][2].
However, Trump’s legal team may still pursue limited post-judgment motions in the trial court, such as requests for reconsideration or challenges to the disbursement process. These motions are unlikely to succeed given the Supreme Court’s denial, but they could briefly delay the release of funds.
What Are Trump’s Options After the Supreme Court Denial?
Trump’s remaining options are narrow:
- Post-judgment motions: He can ask the trial judge to reconsider the release order, though success is unlikely
- Bond challenges: If the funds were posted through a bond company, there may be administrative disputes
- Separate litigation: Trump could theoretically file a new, separate lawsuit challenging the disbursement, though this would face significant procedural hurdles
Legal experts note that the Supreme Court’s denial effectively closes the door on further appeals of the verdict itself [2][9].
Can Trump Freeze or Block the $5 Million Payment?
Trump cannot freeze or block the $5 million payment now that the Supreme Court has denied his appeal. The funds were deposited or bonded during the appeals process, and with no remaining appeals available, the court has the authority to release them to Carroll [9].
When Will the Judge Decide on Releasing the Carroll Funds?
The judge could rule on Carroll’s motion within days or weeks. Federal courts typically respond to uncontested disbursement motions relatively quickly once appeals are exhausted. Carroll’s legal team requested an expedited timeline in their filing [9].
Trump’s attorneys may request a brief delay to review the motion, but they have no legal basis to block the release entirely. The judge will likely schedule a brief hearing or issue a written order based on the filings.
What Does This Ruling Mean for Other Cases Against Trump?
The Supreme Court’s denial signals that the justices are unwilling to intervene in Trump’s civil litigation challenges, even when his legal team raises procedural arguments. This could affect Trump’s approach to the separate $83.3 million defamation judgment, which is still working through the appeals process [1][2].
The ruling also reinforces the finality of jury verdicts in civil sexual abuse cases, particularly those brought under New York’s Adult Survivors Act. Other plaintiffs who secured verdicts under similar legal frameworks may point to this case as precedent for enforcing judgments quickly once appeals fail.
For Trump, the denial adds to a growing list of legal setbacks. The $5 million payment, combined with the pending $83.3 million judgment and other legal financial obligations, represents a significant financial burden.
FAQ
What did the Supreme Court decide about Trump’s appeal in the E. Jean Carroll case?
The Supreme Court denied Trump’s request to review the $5 million verdict on June 29, 2026, letting the jury’s finding of liability for sexual abuse and defamation stand without further review [1][2].
How much money does E. Jean Carroll want released?
Carroll asked the court to release more than $5 million, which includes the jury award plus accrued interest held during the appeals process [9].
Can Trump still appeal the verdict?
No. The Supreme Court was Trump’s final avenue for appeal. With its denial, the verdict is final and enforceable [1][2].
What was Trump’s legal argument?
Trump argued the trial court made procedural errors, including improperly admitting the Access Hollywood tape and testimony from other accusers [3][6].
How much has Trump been ordered to pay total?
Trump faces $5 million from the first verdict and $83.3 million from a second defamation trial, totaling approximately $88.3 million in Carroll-related judgments [1][9].
When will the judge decide on releasing the funds?
The judge could rule within days or weeks. Carroll’s team requested an expedited decision, and Trump has no remaining appeals to justify a delay [9].
Can Trump block the payment?
No. With no appeals remaining, Trump has no legal mechanism to block the release of the funds to Carroll [9].
What does the Supreme Court denial mean for other Trump cases?
The denial suggests the Court is unwilling to intervene in Trump’s civil cases, which could affect his strategy in the pending $83.3 million appeal and other litigation [1][2].
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s denial of Trump’s appeal marks the end of a multi-year legal battle over the $5 million verdict in the E. Jean Carroll case. With no further appeals available, Carroll’s request to release the funds is likely to be granted quickly by the trial court. The ruling also signals that the Supreme Court will not intervene in Trump’s civil litigation challenges, which could have implications for the separate $83.3 million defamation judgment still working through the appeals process.
For Carroll, the release of the $5 million represents the final step in collecting on a verdict that validated her claims of sexual abuse and defamation. For Trump, it adds to a mounting set of legal and financial obligations as he navigates multiple ongoing cases.
Next steps to watch:
- The judge’s ruling on Carroll’s disbursement motion
- Whether Trump’s legal team files any post-judgment motions
- The status of the separate $83.3 million defamation appeal
- Any statements from Trump or his legal team regarding the denial
What are your thoughts on this development? Let us know in the comments below. For more updates on this story and related legal developments, sign up for our newsletter or read our coverage of ongoing Trump legal cases.
References
[1] Supreme Court Rejects Trump Effort Overturn E Jean Carroll Sexual Assa Rcna256546 – https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-rejects-trump-effort-overturn-e-jean-carroll-sexual-assa-rcna256546
[2] Us Supreme Court Rebuffs Trumps Appeal In E Jean Carroll Case – https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/6/29/us-supreme-court-rebuffs-trumps-appeal-in-e-jean-carroll-case
[3] Supreme Court E Jean Carroll Donald Trump Appeal – https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/22/politics/supreme-court-e-jean-carroll-donald-trump-appeal
[5] Appeals Court Refuse Trump Appeal E Jean Carroll Case – https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/30/appeals-court-refuse-trump-appeal-e-jean-carroll-case
[6] Trump Asks Appeals Court Pause Ruling E Jean Carroll Case Rcna343948 – https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-asks-appeals-court-pause-ruling-e-jean-carroll-case-rcna343948
[8] Story – https://abcnews.com/US/jean-carrollasks-supreme-court-reject-trumps-request-review/story?id=129216869
[9] E Jean Carroll Asks For Release 5 Million Dollars Trump – https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/30/politics/e-jean-carroll-asks-for-release-5-million-dollars-trump
