The Supreme Court on Monday rejected President Donald Trump’s bid to overturn a $5 million civil verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll.
Why it matters: The high court’s refusal to hear the appeal permanently cements the 2023 jury verdict and represents a major legal defeat for Trump.
- An unprompted dismissal: The justices declined to review the case via a brief, unexplained order with no noted dissents, which is standard procedure for the court.
- Rejected defense arguments: Trump’s attorneys unsuccessfully argued that the trial judge improperly permitted “highly inflammatory” testimony from two other women who accused Trump of historical sexual misconduct.
- Broader battles remain: The ruling leaves a 2024 appeals court decision intact, though Trump is still separately battling a second, $83.3 million defamation judgment brought by Carroll.