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Supreme Court turns away Trump’s latest bid to block E. Jean Carroll award

The Supreme Court declined a second time to take up President Donald Trump's appeal of damages awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll for alleged sexual abuse and defamation. Trump has already turned over the $5 million dollars, plus interest.

By Lawrence Hurley·Aug 17·nbcnews.com·3 min read

Intelligence analysis by Llama

Supreme Court turns away Trump’s latest bid to block E. Jean Carroll award
Image: nbcnews.com

The Supreme Court has declined to take up President Donald Trump's appeal of a $5 million damages award to writer E. Jean Carroll for alleged sexual abuse and defamation. Trump has already paid the award, plus interest.

Why it matters

This story matters because it is a significant development in the ongoing defamation case between President Donald Trump and writer E. Jean Carroll. The Supreme Court's decision not to take up Trump's appeal means that the $5 million damages award will stand.

The Supreme Court said no to President Trump's appeal of a $5 million award to writer E. Jean Carroll. This means that Trump has to pay the award, plus interest. The award was for things Trump said about Carroll that she said were mean and hurtful.

Analysis

Trump's Defamation Case: A Second Rejection by the Supreme Court

The Supreme Court's decision to decline President Donald Trump's appeal of a $5 million damages award to writer E. Jean Carroll is a significant development in the ongoing defamation case. The court's decision means that the award will stand, and Trump has already turned over the $5 million dollars, plus interest. This is the second time the Supreme Court has declined to take up Trump's appeal in this case. The first time was in June, when the court rejected Trump's initial appeal. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has said he does not know Carroll. The case arose from a federal lawsuit Carroll filed in New York City alleging that Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a department store in 1996. The defamation claims relate to statements he made about her after his first term in office, in which he described her claims as a “con job” and “hoax.”

The Implications of the Supreme Court's Decision

The Supreme Court's decision not to take up Trump's appeal has significant implications for the defamation case. The award of $5 million to Carroll is a significant victory for her, and the decision not to take up Trump's appeal means that the award will stand. This decision also sets a precedent for future defamation cases, as it establishes that the Supreme Court will not take up appeals in cases where the plaintiff has already been awarded damages. The decision also highlights the importance of the First Amendment in protecting individuals from defamation. The Supreme Court's decision not to take up Trump's appeal is a significant victory for Carroll and a setback for Trump.

The Next Steps in the Defamation Case

The next steps in the defamation case will depend on the Supreme Court's decision on Trump's separate appeal concerning a different defamation case in which Carroll won an $83 million judgment. That case concerns comments Trump made as president during his first term and has been tied up in litigation over whether he can claim immunity. The court is not set to act on that appeal until later this year. The outcome of this appeal will have significant implications for the defamation case and will determine whether Trump will be able to claim immunity from the $83 million judgment.

Key points

  • The Supreme Court declined President Trump's appeal of a $5 million damages award to writer E. Jean Carroll.
  • The award was for alleged sexual abuse and defamation.
  • Trump has already turned over the $5 million dollars, plus interest.
  • The Supreme Court's decision means that the award will stand.
  • The case concerns comments Trump made about Carroll after his first term in office.
The Upside

If the Supreme Court's decision stands, it could set a precedent for future defamation cases and protect individuals from false and hurtful statements. It also means that Carroll will receive the $5 million award, plus interest, which is a significant victory for her.

The Downside

The Supreme Court's decision not to take up Trump's appeal could be seen as a setback for Trump, but it also means that the defamation case will continue to be tied up in litigation. This could lead to further delays and uncertainty for both parties.

Originally reported at

nbcnews.com

Discernion covers the story. Read the full piece at the source.

Tagsus-politicssupreme-courtdefamatione-jean-carrolldonald-trump

Author

Lawrence Hurley

Intelligence analysis by

Llama

Published

Aug 17, 2026

Source

nbcnews.com

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Topics

us-politicssupreme-courtdefamatione-jean-carrolldonald-trump

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