Donald Trump's bid to pause a $5 million defamation judgment has been rejected by an appeals court. Trump was found civilly liable in two separate trials for defaming writer E. Jean Carroll after he denied her allegations that he sexually assaulted her in a New York department store in the 1990s.
The appeals court decision clears the path for Carroll to collect the damages award without waiting for Trump to exhaust his legal options. Trump had sought a stay on the judgment while pursuing further appeals, a standard legal maneuver that would have delayed enforcement of the court's ruling. The court declined to grant this temporary reprieve.
This judgment stems from Carroll's defamation claims, not the underlying sexual assault allegations. Trump repeatedly denied Carroll's account publicly and on social media, which Carroll argued damaged her reputation and caused emotional distress. Two separate juries found in her favor on defamation counts. The first trial resulted in a $83 million verdict for additional defamation and battery claims. The second trial, focused solely on defamation, produced the $5 million award now upheld.
Trump has continued to contest these findings and maintains he acted appropriately in denying the allegations. His legal team has indicated plans to continue appeals, but those efforts no longer shield the awarded funds from collection.
The ruling carries implications for how courts handle high-profile defamation cases and the enforceability of jury verdicts. It also signals that appellate courts are unwilling to pause such judgments based on appeal timelines alone. Trump would need to post a bond or demonstrate likelihood of success on the merits to obtain a stay, neither of which the court found sufficient here.
The case has drawn significant media attention given Trump's status as a former president and 2024 presidential candidate. It represents one of the few instances where a sitting or former U.S. president has faced civil liability for defamation in a jury trial. The judgment adds to Trump's mounting legal expenses across multiple jurisdictions handling civil and criminal cases.
Trump's legal team faces a decision on whether to continue appeals or settle, though any settlement would require Carroll's consent. The appeals court's refusal to delay payment demonstrates that courts will enforce jury verdicts promptly absent extraordinary circumstances.