A Manhattan federal appeals court late Wednesday rejected Donald Trump's latest attempt to delay paying over $5 million to writer E Jean Carroll, who won a sexual abuse and defamation trial against him in 2023. The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled hours after Trump filed paperwork opposing Judge Lewis Kaplan's order to release the funds, which have been held in a court-controlled account since June 2023. Trump denies all wrongdoing.
Emergency Stay Request Denied
Trump's legal team had asked the Second Circuit for an "immediate administrative stay" of Kaplan's order, arguing it was necessary "to preserve the status quo" while they prepare a formal stay request during the appeals process. The court-held amount, including accrued interest, now totals approximately $5.8 million. Trump filed his appeal within an hour of Kaplan's order.
Judge Kaplan's Order and Rationale
Kaplan's order directed the clerk to disburse the principal judgment of $5 million plus post-judgment interest. In a memorandum explaining his decision, Kaplan wrote: "In the last analysis, defendant has been stalling this case for years. A jury unanimously concluded that he sexually abused and defamed plaintiff and awarded her damages accordingly." He noted that the verdict had been upheld on appeal, en banc rehearing denied, and the Supreme Court denied certiorari without dissent. "It's time for him to 'do equity' and pay the judgment," Kaplan concluded.
Supreme Court Refusal Triggered Release
Kaplan's mandate followed the US Supreme Court's refusal on June 29 to hear Trump's appeal of Carroll's case. After that denial, Carroll's attorneys, led by Roberta Kaplan, asked the judge to order prompt release of the funds. "After four years of litigation across every level of the federal court system, it is time for this case to end," Roberta Kaplan argued in court filings. "And under the Court's Stipulation and Order, Carroll is now entitled to obtain payment of the money due under the judgment."
Trump's Objections and Next Steps
Trump had asked Kaplan not to release the funds, stating he planned to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider hearing his appeal. About six weeks after Carroll's win, both sides agreed Trump could deposit $5 million plus 11% interest in a court-administered fund while appeals played out. Under that agreement, the money was to be paid out upon definitive legal developments, including the Supreme Court rejecting Trump's appeal. Trump's team claimed Carroll's representatives engaged in an "incorrect reading" of the agreement, asserting it "does not permit collection while the rehearing petition remains unresolved."
