Supreme Court leaves $5 million E. Jean Carroll verdict against Trump intact

Years later, Carroll brought a civil lawsuit after New York enacted legislation that temporarily expanded the ability of adult survivors of sexual assault to bring certain claims that would otherwise have been barred by older deadlines. Her lawsuit also included allegations that Trump defamed her through public statements denying her accusations.

The case eventually went before a federal jury in New York. In 2023, jurors found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and for defaming her. They awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.

Civil cases differ from criminal prosecutions. A civil jury does not determine criminal guilt or innocence. Instead, it decides whether legal responsibility exists under the standards required for a civil claim and whether compensation should be awarded.

The Jury Verdict and Its Significance
The 2023 verdict became a major legal and political event because it involved a former president and a public figure who had continued to deny the accusations. The jury’s decision represented a finding of civil liability based on evidence presented during the trial.

Trump’s legal team challenged the verdict, arguing that the trial court had made errors in allowing certain evidence and testimony. His lawyers argued that the jury should not have been allowed to consider testimony from other women who made allegations against him or certain public statements that prosecutors and Carroll’s lawyers argued were relevant to the case.