Writer E. Jean Carroll has received approximately $5.625 million in damages from President Trump, following a 2023 federal jury verdict that found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The payment, which includes three years of interest, was finalized after the Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal, ending a multi-year delay in the civil litigation.
## The 2023 Jury Verdict and Final Payment
In 2023, a unanimous nine-person jury in Manhattan found President Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. Following the verdict, Trump pursued a lengthy appeals process, which stalled the disbursement of the funds.
According to court records filed on Tuesday, the payment—totaling $5.625 million to account for accrued interest—was transferred to Carroll and her legal team. This development follows an order from U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, issued after the Supreme Court chose not to intervene in the case.
“Three years ago, a unanimous nine-person jury found President Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming E. Jean Carroll,” Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, said in a statement to NPR. “Today, we are pleased to report that she has received the damages payment the jury awarded her as a result of that verdict.”
## Origins of the Defamation Litigation
The legal dispute stems from a 2019 memoir in which Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in 1996. Following the publication of her claims, Trump denied the allegations, stating he had never met Carroll and characterizing her as a liar motivated by ulterior goals. Carroll subsequently filed a defamation lawsuit, arguing that Trump’s public denials caused significant damage to her reputation.
## Pending Legal Stakes and Future Appeals
While the 2023 judgment has been satisfied, Carroll remains involved in further litigation against Trump. A separate defamation lawsuit resulted in an $83 million jury award. Trump has appealed this larger judgment, and the case remains active within the federal court system. While federal courts have upheld the award thus far, the final resolution of the $83 million penalty is subject to the ongoing appeals process.
### Summary of Legal Awards
| Case Type | Jury Award | Status |
| :— | :— | :— |
| Sexual Abuse and Defamation (2023) | $5.625 million (with interest) | Paid |
| Defamation | $83 million | Under Appeal |
The White House referred requests for comment regarding the payment to Trump’s personal legal representatives, who did not immediately respond to inquiries.
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