Supreme Court Rejects Trump's E. Jean Carroll Verdict Appeal

The US Supreme Court has once again declined to consider Donald Trump's appeal of a jury verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll and later defaming her. The court announced this decision on Monday in an unsigned order, providing no explanation for its denial. The order listed Trump's petition among several other petitions under the heading "rehearings denied." This marks the second time the Supreme Court has rejected Trump's attempt to overturn the verdict. The initial jury verdict in May 2023 awarded Carroll $5 million in damages after finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Trump's legal team had sought to have this verdict overturned, arguing various points of law. However, the Supreme Court's repeated rejections mean the $5 million civil judgment against Trump remains intact. The case originated from allegations made by E. Jean Carroll, a writer and former magazine columnist, who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Carroll also sued Trump for defamation after he publicly denied her allegations and attacked her credibility. A jury in a civil trial found Trump liable for sexual abuse, which under New York law does not require proof of rape, and for defamation. The jury awarded Carroll $2 million for the sexual abuse claim and $3 million for the defamation claim. Trump's subsequent appeals aimed to nullify this finding and the associated financial penalty. The Supreme Court's decision to deny the petition for a writ of certiorari means the lower court's ruling stands, and the case will not be reviewed by the nation's highest court. This outcome reinforces the jury's finding of liability against the former president in this civil matter. The legal proceedings have been closely watched, highlighting the intersection of high-profile political figures and civil litigation.