A federal appeals court in the United States has denied former President Donald Trump’s bid to further delay the payment of $5.8 million to writer E. Jean Carroll, stemming from her successful sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit in 2023. This ruling marks a significant development in the protracted legal battle, as the court upheld the lower court’s directive to release funds that have been held in a court-controlled account during the appeals process.
The contested sum includes the original $5 million judgment awarded to Carroll, along with accrued interest. The appeals court’s decision aligns with a recent move by the US Supreme Court, which declined to consider Trump’s appeal, thereby solidifying the standing judgment. This sequence of legal affirmations suggests that the avenues for further contestation are narrowing for the former president.
Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the case, emphasized that the legal proceedings had reached their conclusion and that the time had come for the judgment to be fulfilled. Trump’s persistent efforts to challenge the ruling have been met with consistent judicial resistance, reinforcing the original decision in favor of Carroll.
Despite these setbacks, Trump has maintained his denial of the allegations and continues to dispute the legal interpretation of the agreement concerning the release of the funds. His legal team has been actively engaged in contesting the judgment, reflecting the ongoing nature of this high-profile legal confrontation.