Trump asks Supreme Court to overturn $83M Carroll defamation verdict

President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to overturn an $83.3 million jury verdict in favor of magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll, arguing that, as president, he is immune from defamation litigation. The appeal, which has not yet been docketed, relies on the high court's 2024 decision granting presidents wide immunity for official acts. Trump's attorneys stated, 'This is the first case in our nation’s history in which a court has imposed damages liability on a president for his conduct in office.'

The appeal also argues that the United States government, not the president, should be the defendant because Trump's statements were made from the White House in response to reporters' questions. 'The president of the United States has been ordered to pay nearly $100 million in damages for issuing a press release and answering reporters’ questions,' the filing said. Attorneys for Carroll declined to comment. The case highlights ongoing legal battles between Trump and Carroll, who also won a $5 million verdict for sexual abuse and defamation, which the Supreme Court declined to review earlier this year.

The timeline of events began with Carroll's allegation that Trump raped her in the 1990s, which he denied. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding $5 million. A second trial in 2024 resulted in the $83.3 million defamation verdict. The Second Circuit upheld that verdict, leading to the current Supreme Court appeal. The Supreme Court's 2024 immunity decision, which protected Trump from prosecution for official acts, is central to his defense.

If the Supreme Court agrees to hear the case, it could clarify the limits of presidential immunity in civil cases. Legal experts note that the outcome may have implications for future presidents and the balance of power between the executive and judicial branches. The court is not obligated to take the case, and it remains uncertain whether it will intervene.