In a decisive legal blow, Donald Trump has faced final rejection in his attempt to overturn a staggering £80 million defamation judgment awarded to writer E Jean Carroll. A US federal appeals court has unequivocally dismissed the former president's latest challenge, bringing a definitive close to this chapter of the long-running legal battle.
A Landmark Judgment Upheld
The Second US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan delivered a terse, one-sentence order, leaving no room for further debate. This ruling solidifies the jury's January 2024 verdict, which found Trump liable for defaming Carroll after she went public with decades-old sexual assault allegations.
The court's refusal to rehear the case before a full panel of judges signals the overwhelming legal strength of Carroll's victory. Trump's legal team, led by attorney Alina Habba, had argued for a new trial, claiming the awarded damages were excessively punitive. These arguments were swiftly dismissed by the appellate judges.
The Core of the Controversy
The case stems from Trump's vehement denials after Carroll detailed an alleged sexual assault in a Manhattan department store dressing room during the mid-1990s. A previous jury had already found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in a separate trial, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages.
This second trial focused specifically on comments Trump made while serving as president in 2019, including his notorious statement that Carroll was "not my type." The jury's substantial £80 million award reflected both compensatory damages and a powerful punitive element designed to deter future defamatory conduct.
What This Means for Trump
This legal defeat carries significant implications:
- Financial Impact: Trump must now satisfy the full £80 million judgment, a substantial financial hit.
- Legal Precedent: The ruling establishes a formidable legal obstacle for any future appeals to the US Supreme Court.
- Political Repercussions: The upheld judgment reinforces narratives about Trump's treatment of women as he continues his political activities.
With this appeal pathway exhausted, Trump's options are severely limited. A final appeal to the US Supreme Court remains theoretically possible but is considered a legal long shot by most court observers.
For E Jean Carroll, this decision represents a hard-won vindication after years of legal warfare against one of America's most powerful figures. Her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, hailed the development as "a great day for justice and for the rule of law."
