The moment E Jean Carroll has waited years for may finally be here. On Tuesday, her legal team filed a motion in federal court asking a judge to order Donald Trump to pay the $5m a jury awarded her in 2023 — after the US Supreme Court refused to hear his final appeal.
Why the payment is now unavoidable
The Supreme Court's decision on Monday to deny Trump's petition means there are no more legal avenues left for him to block the verdict. The $5m — plus interest — has been held in a court-controlled account since Trump posted a bond during the appeals process. Carroll's lawyers now want that money released to her.
The long road to this moment
The case began in 2019 when Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, accused Trump of sexually abusing her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump denied the allegation and called her a liar. Carroll sued for defamation and battery. In May 2023, a Manhattan jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5m in damages. Trump appealed, arguing the verdict should be overturned. The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the verdict, and the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case ended his legal challenge.
What this means for Carroll
For Carroll, the payment represents more than money. It is a legal and personal vindication after years of public attacks from Trump. "Time for him to pay," her lawyer Roberta Kaplan said in a statement, capturing the sentiment of many who have followed the case. The funds could be released within weeks if the judge approves the motion.
Trump's legal team stays silent
As of Tuesday evening, Trump's lawyers had not filed any response to Carroll's motion. The former president has continued to deny the allegations publicly, but the court system has now exhausted his appeals. Legal experts say there is little Trump can do to stop the payment at this stage.
Why the Supreme Court refused to intervene
The high court did not explain its decision to deny Trump's petition, which is standard practice. Legal analysts noted that Trump's arguments — including claims of judicial bias and improper jury instructions — did not raise the kind of constitutional questions the Supreme Court typically agrees to hear. The denial was a significant procedural defeat for Trump.
Confirmed Facts vs What Remains Unclear
Confirmed: The Supreme Court denied Trump's appeal on Monday. Carroll's lawyers filed a motion to release the $5m bond on Tuesday. The money is held in a court account. Unclear: Exactly when the judge will rule. Whether Trump's legal team will attempt any further delay tactics. Whether interest accrued will increase the total payout.
Risks and Balanced View
While Carroll appears close to receiving the payment, Trump's legal history shows he often fights court orders aggressively. He could potentially seek a stay from a different court or argue procedural issues with the bond release. Critics of the verdict argue the jury's finding of sexual abuse — rather than rape — was a compromise that left some questions unanswered. Supporters of Carroll say the verdict was a clear legal victory and that Trump's appeals were meritless delay tactics.
Wider pattern of legal accountability
This case is part of a broader trend of courts holding powerful figures accountable for sexual misconduct claims, even when those claims are years old. The #MeToo movement and changing legal standards have made it harder for wealthy defendants to use appeals to indefinitely delay payments. Trump faces multiple other civil and criminal cases, but this is one of the few where a final judgment is now imminent.
What readers should understand
For those following the case, the key takeaway is that the legal process has run its course. A jury found Trump liable. Appeals courts upheld the verdict. The Supreme Court refused to intervene. Unless Trump finds a last-minute legal maneuver, Carroll will receive the $5m plus interest. This does not mean Trump admits guilt — he continues to deny the allegations — but it does mean the legal system has spoken definitively on this matter.
What happens next
Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan (no relation to Carroll's lawyer) will consider the motion. If he grants it, the court will release the funds to Carroll. Trump could still appeal the bond release order, but legal experts say such a move would face long odds. The case is effectively over unless a new legal issue emerges.
Our Take
This is a rare moment of finality in a high-profile legal battle. For years, Trump has used the appeals process to delay payments and avoid accountability. The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case — without comment — signals that even the highest court saw no merit in his arguments. For Carroll, the payment is both financial compensation and symbolic justice. For the public, it is a reminder that the legal system, however slow, can eventually deliver a verdict that sticks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Supreme Court reject Trump's appeal?
The Supreme Court does not explain most denials. Legal experts say Trump's arguments did not raise constitutional questions the court typically agrees to hear, such as conflicts between lower courts or significant federal law issues.
How much will Trump actually have to pay?
The jury awarded $5m. With interest accrued during the appeals process, the total could be slightly higher. The exact amount will be determined when the judge orders the release of the bond.
Can Trump still avoid paying?
It is highly unlikely. The Supreme Court denial ends his appeals. Trump could theoretically file a last-minute motion to delay the bond release, but legal experts say such efforts would probably fail.
What was the case about?
E Jean Carroll accused Donald Trump of sexually abusing her in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. She sued for battery and defamation after Trump denied the allegation and called her a liar. A jury found Trump liable and awarded $5m in damages.
