E Jean Carroll Receives $5.63 Million From Trump After Sex Abuse Verdict

Writer E. Jean Carroll has received nearly $5.63 million from US President Donald Trump after a federal jury found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming her in a landmark civil case.

The payment, which includes the original $5 million jury award along with accumulated interest, was released from a court-supervised account after a federal judge rejected Trump's efforts to block the disbursement.

Court orders release of compensation

Court records show the funds were transferred to Carroll's law firm on Monday, five days after US District Judge Lewis Kaplan authorised the payment despite objections from Trump's legal team.

The amount represents the damages awarded by a New York jury in 2023, which concluded that Trump was liable for sexually abusing Carroll and later defaming her through public statements denying her allegations.

This marks the first time Trump has paid damages to Carroll since the legal battle began.

Supreme Court declined Trump's appeal

The payment follows the US Supreme Court's decision last month to reject Trump's appeal against the 2023 civil verdict, effectively allowing the judgment to stand.

Throughout the case, Trump has consistently denied Carroll's allegations, maintaining that he never assaulted her and describing the lawsuit as politically motivated.

His legal team has repeatedly characterised the case as a "witch hunt" and accused opponents of using the legal system against him.

Trump sought to delay payment

Last week, Trump's lawyers asked a federal appeals court to halt the release of the funds, arguing that the president would suffer "irreparable harm" if Carroll donated or spent the money before appeals were fully exhausted.

The defence argued that recovering the funds later could become impossible even if future legal proceedings favoured Trump.

Carroll had informed the court that she intended to place the money in an interest-bearing account to support her retirement.

Carroll has won multiple civil verdicts

The latest payment relates to the 2023 verdict based on Trump's 2022 public statements denying Carroll's allegations.

In that case, jurors found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation but did not conclude that he committed rape under the legal definition presented during the trial.

Separately, another New York jury in 2024 awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages after finding that Trump's repeated public statements made during his first presidential term further defamed her.

Trump is expected to continue challenging that larger judgment before the US Supreme Court.

Long-running legal battle

The legal dispute between Carroll and Trump began after the writer accused him of sexually assaulting her inside a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan during the mid-1990s.

Trump has consistently denied the allegation, saying he never knew Carroll and accusing her of fabricating the story to promote her memoir.

Despite those denials, two civil juries have ruled in Carroll's favour, awarding her a combined $88.3 million in damages over separate defamation claims.

With the first payment now completed, the broader legal battle between the two is expected to continue through further appeals.

Key Highlights

• E. Jean Carroll has received $5.63 million from Donald Trump.
• The payment follows a 2023 civil verdict finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation.
• The US Supreme Court recently declined to hear Trump's appeal.
• Trump unsuccessfully attempted to delay the release of the funds.
• Carroll has won a total of $88.3 million through two separate civil verdicts.
• Trump is expected to continue appealing the larger $83.3 million judgment.

FAQs

Why did E. Jean Carroll receive $5.63 million from Donald Trump?

The payment stems from a 2023 civil verdict in which a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll.

Why is the amount $5.63 million instead of $5 million?

The total includes the original $5 million damages awarded by the jury along with accrued interest.

Did the US Supreme Court hear Trump's appeal?

No. The Supreme Court declined to hear Trump's appeal against the 2023 civil judgment, allowing the verdict to remain in effect.

Is there another case between Trump and Carroll?

Yes. In a separate defamation case, a jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages in 2024. Trump is continuing to challenge that verdict.

Has Donald Trump admitted wrongdoing?

No. Trump has consistently denied Carroll's allegations and has described the lawsuits as politically motivated.