A US federal appeals court has denied former President Donald Trump’s most recent attempt to postpone the disbursement of $5.8 million to writer E. Jean Carroll, following her victory in a 2023 sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit. This decision arises after Trump contested a lower court’s directive to release the funds, which had been held in a court-controlled account during the appellate process.
The amount Trump is ordered to pay includes the initial $5 million judgment plus accumulated interest. This ruling follows the US Supreme Court’s recent decision not to review Trump’s appeal, effectively upholding the lower court’s judgment. Judge Lewis Kaplan emphasized that the legal avenues had been fully pursued and it was now time for the payment to be made.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Trump has consistently denied the allegations brought forth by Carroll. He continues to dispute the legal interpretation concerning the agreement that governs the release of the funds.
This case stems from Carroll’s successful legal action against Trump, which found him liable for defamation and sexual abuse. The refusal by the appeals court to grant Trump’s request marks another step in finalizing the judgment in favor of Carroll, reinforcing the previous decisions made by the lower courts.