2023 may as well be the Jurassic era for how long ago it feels now, but cast your minds back to a time when it appeared that Donald Trump‘s legal problems might sink his 2024 candidacy.
In May 2023 and January 2024, New York City juries found Trump liable in civil court for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in 1996 and also found him guilty of defaming her. Trump was ordered to pay her $5 million for the sexual abuse and $83.3 million for the defamation. He immediately appealed, only for that to be slapped down by the United States Court of Appeals.
Trump then unveiled plans to take his appeal all the way to the Supreme Court. In a decision posted yesterday, the Supreme Court has officially denied the request to review the 2023 verdict. They didn’t provide an explanation or reasoning, and no dissents were noted.
Trump continues to decry this “injustice” committed against him, posting to social media:
Surprisingly, the Supreme Court declined to “review” a Fake Case brought against me by a woman I never met (Decades old celebrity photo line, standing with her husband, does not count!). I will continue the fight against this Weaponization and Lawfare Case against me, including the ridiculous claim of Defamation, with all of my power and strength.
“This Case is really against the United States of America”
He continued, arguing that his being found liable by a jury for sexual abuse is actually against all the United States stands for:
“This Case is really against the United States of America, and all it stands for, and should never be allowed to happen to another President, or Candidate to be! New York State created a Law, for an instant speck of time, going back many decades, in order to wrongfully “nab” me. It was tailormade, and this Injustice cannot be allowed to stand!”
In May 2026, a federal appeals court ruled that Trump didn’t have to pay out to Carroll until the Supreme Court decides whether to hear it. That has now happened, and none other than Mary Trump – the president’s niece – is urging him to open his wallet:
At last! @ejeancarroll just kicked Donald's ass once and for all. What a legend she is!
— Mary L Trump (@MaryLTrump) June 29, 2026
Time to pay up, Donald.
However, Trump isn’t quite out of options. His lawyers have confirmed they’re planning a separate appeal to the Supreme Court on Carroll’s defamation case and the subsequent award to her of $83.3 million in damages. That decision is still pending.
Published: Jun 30, 2026 06:36 am