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President Donald Trump and federal attorneys have petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn an $83 million defamation judgment rendered in favor of advice columnist and former television host E. Jean Carroll. The case stems from statements Trump made during his initial presidency following Carroll’s public allegations of sexual assault against him.
This represents Trump’s second attempt to challenge jury verdicts in the Carroll litigation. The high court declined in June to review his appeal of an earlier $5 million judgment finding him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Federal lawyers argue the Westfall Act—legislation that protects government employees from civil suits related to official duties—should shield Trump from personal liability in this matter.
Justice Department attorneys contend that without Supreme Court intervention, a sitting president faces nearly $100 million in personal damages for conduct performed within the scope of federal office. Trump’s legal team asserts the appellate court engaged in procedural irregularities to sidestep addressing his presidential immunity claims and characterized the damages award as excessive.
Carroll testified to New York juries that Trump sexually assaulted her in spring 1996 at a Manhattan luxury retailer. She disclosed the allegations in a 2019 memoir, then sued for defamation after Trump denied knowing her and questioned her credibility. A Manhattan jury awarded Carroll $83 million in January 2024, with lower courts thus far rejecting Trump’s appeals to overturn the verdict.
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