Summary (tl;dr)

Former President Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn an $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded to E. Jean Carroll, arguing he is protected by presidential immunity.

Essential Background

E. Jean Carroll, a former advice columnist, sued Donald Trump, alleging he sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s and then defamed her by denying her claims. Separate federal juries found Trump liable in two distinct cases. In 2023, a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million, an appeal the Supreme Court declined to hear on June 29, 2026. In 2024, another jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages after finding Trump liable for defaming her with statements made in 2019 while he was president.

The Full Story

On July 28, 2026, former President Donald Trump's legal team filed an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to reverse the $83.3 million defamation verdict in favor of E. Jean Carroll. Trump's attorneys contend that he is shielded by broad presidential immunity, citing a 2024 Supreme Court decision that granted presidents immunity for official acts. Separately, the Justice Department also petitioned the high court, seeking to replace Trump as the defendant in the case, arguing that the federal government, not Trump, should be the defendant for actions taken within the scope of federal employment. This latest appeal follows the Supreme Court's refusal, just a month prior, to hear Trump's appeal of the earlier $5 million verdict in Carroll's sexual abuse and defamation case.

Why It Matters

This Supreme Court appeal is significant as it represents Trump's latest attempt to avoid paying substantial civil judgments and could have far-reaching implications for the scope of presidential immunity. A ruling in Trump's favor could establish a precedent that protects presidents from liability for statements made while in office, potentially altering how future presidents are held accountable for their public comments. Conversely, a rejection of his appeal would solidify the lower court's judgment and reinforce the principle that even a sitting president can be held personally liable for defamation.

Geographic Location

• Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (location of current appeal filing)
• United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Manhattan, New York County, New York, United States (location of initial jury trials and verdicts)