E. Jean Carroll is pressing for the immediate release of nearly $5.8 million awarded to her following a civil trial that found President Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Her legal team has filed a motion with a New York federal court, urging the judge to reject any further delays sought by Trump.

Trump’s legal team is reportedly seeking to postpone the payment, aiming to give the former president an opportunity to petition the Supreme Court to reconsider its recent refusal to hear his appeal. However, Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, has strongly opposed this, stating in a court filing that “It is time for him to pay Carroll.” This latest move comes after Trump’s lawyers contacted Carroll’s team shortly after the Supreme Court’s denial, inquiring about a potential delay to allow for a rehearing petition.

Carroll’s lawyers emphasized that a prior court order stipulated the award should be disbursed immediately upon the denial of a petition for certiorari. They argue that granting further delay based on the “mere theoretical possibility of rehearing” is neither practical nor equitable, especially given the rarity of such rehearings being granted by the Supreme Court. The filing also highlighted Trump’s continued public statements against Carroll, which her legal team views as further evidence of his intent to delay payment.

This legal battle stems from a May 2023 jury verdict that found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s and defaming her when he denied her allegations years later. The initial award was $5 million, but with accumulated interest, the total amount owed has grown to nearly $5.8 million. Trump has also been found liable for an additional $83.3 million in a separate defamation case related to his denials of the sexual assault allegations, a verdict he is also appealing. The $5 million liability was recently noted in Trump’s 2025 financial disclosure report.

Key Takeaways

• E. Jean Carroll is seeking the immediate release of nearly $5.8 million awarded to her by a jury.
• Donald Trump's legal team is attempting to delay the payment, seeking to petition the Supreme Court for reconsideration.
• Carroll's lawyers are strongly opposing any further delays, citing court orders and the unlikelihood of a Supreme Court rehearing.

Editor’s Analysis & Impact

This ongoing legal saga highlights the significant financial and reputational challenges facing Donald Trump. The push for immediate payment by E. Jean Carroll underscores the finality of the jury’s decision and the increasing pressure on Trump to satisfy the judgment. Trump’s attempts to leverage procedural avenues for delay, even after Supreme Court rejection, suggest a strategy to prolong the process. The market and political implications are considerable, as such judgments can impact financial disclosures, campaign rhetoric, and public perception. The case also sets a precedent for how defamation and civil liability judgments are enforced against high-profile individuals, potentially influencing future legal strategies in similar high-stakes disputes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the total amount E. Jean Carroll is seeking?
A: E. Jean Carroll is seeking nearly $5.8 million, which includes the original $5 million jury award plus accumulated interest.

Q: Why does Donald Trump want to delay the payment?
A: Donald Trump reportedly wants to delay the payment to potentially ask the Supreme Court to reconsider its refusal to hear his appeal in the case.

Q: What was the basis for the jury's verdict against Donald Trump?
A: A jury found Donald Trump liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in the mid-1990s and for defaming her when he denied her allegations years later.