Supreme Court Rejects Trump’s Request to Appeal $5 Million Verdict in E. Jean Carroll Case
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-06-29 10:51:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Dismisses Carroll Verdict as “Fake Case” After Supreme Court Declines Appeal
The Supreme Court on Monday declined President Trump’s request to review a $5 million civil judgment against him, a case in which a jury found in 2023 that he sexually abused and defamed writer E. Jean Carroll. The justices gave no explanation for their decision, and no public dissents were noted.
Trump’s Response: “Fake Case” and Continued Attacks
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision, Trump posted on social media, calling Carroll’s lawsuit “a Fake Case.” He also vowed to “continue the fight against this Weaponization and Lawfare Case against me, including the ridiculous claim of Defamation, with all of my power and strength.” This reaction is consistent with Trump’s ongoing pattern of dismissing legal actions against him as politically motivated or baseless, despite the unanimous jury verdict.
History of False Claims and Defamation
The jury found that Trump had defamed Carroll by posting statements on social media calling her case “a complete con job” and “a Hoax and a lie.” Throughout the legal proceedings, Trump denied Carroll’s allegations. The jury also heard from two additional women who claimed Trump had assaulted them, as well as an excerpt from the “Access Hollywood” tape in which Trump is heard bragging about grabbing and kissing women without consent.
Legal Filings and Appeals
After the verdict, Trump appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, arguing that the trial judge erred by allowing testimony from the two women and the tape excerpt. In December 2024, a three-judge panel upheld the verdict, finding that Trump failed to show the evidence harmed his right to a fair trial. Trump’s lawyers described the evidence as “multiple decades-old, unverified and unrelated allegations” and argued that the appeals court had incorrectly applied the law.
Ongoing Legal Battles
A second case stemming from Carroll’s allegations could also reach the Supreme Court. In January 2024, a separate jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million in damages for defaming her in 2019 after she accused him of rape. Trump’s legal team has indicated plans to ask the justices to hear that case as well.
Conclusion
Trump’s repeated public statements attacking Carroll and the judicial process—labeling the lawsuit a “Fake Case” and the defamation claim “ridiculous”—stand in stark contrast to the findings of two unanimous juries and multiple court rulings. Monday’s Supreme Court decision likely marks the end of Trump’s legal efforts to contest the jury verdict that found he assaulted and defamed Carroll, reinforcing the accountability established by the courts.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/29/us/politics/supreme-court-trump-sexual-assault.html