President Donald Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to look at a $5 million civil case. In this case, the jury found he sexually abused and defamed magazine writer E. Jean Carroll.
Last year, a federal appeals court upheld the jury’s decision and the judgment. They confirmed that the trial was fair and the judge made no mistakes that would call for a new trial. However, in June, Trump lost a bid to have the entire court reassess the case.
Trump argues that Judge Lewis Kaplan, who led the trial, made several errors. He believes the judge wrongly allowed the jury to hear from two women claiming Trump assaulted them years ago. Trump’s legal team also contends that the jury should not have seen the “Access Hollywood” tape, where Trump was captured on a hot mic discussing how he could touch women without consent.
Carroll’s lawsuit claims Trump assaulted her in a New York department store in the mid-1990s. When Trump denied the assault in 2019, he also said Carroll wasn’t his type and accused her of fabricating the story to promote a book.
Trump’s appeal argues there were no eyewitnesses, video evidence, or police reports. He stated, “Carroll waited more than 20 years to falsely accuse Donald Trump,” suggesting her motives were political and financial.
As of now, the appeal hasn’t been formally filed with the Supreme Court. It remains uncertain if the justices will choose to hear it, but this won’t be the last legal battle involving Carroll.
Interestingly, another jury found Trump liable for defaming Carroll when he repeated his earlier statements, leading to an order for him to pay $83 million. The appeals court described this amount as “reasonable” given the severe nature of the case. They dismissed several of Trump’s legal challenges, asserting that he had waived any claim of presidential immunity.
The Justice Department has also weighed in, filing a brief that supports reviewing whether presidential immunity can be waived for civil damages connected to official actions. Carroll is expected to respond in the coming weeks.
Recent surveys show that public opinion on these cases is divided. Many view the outcomes as a reflection of the broader societal discussions around accountability and the treatment of sexual assault claims. Social media trends reveal a growing dialogue about the implications of such high-profile legal battles.
As this case continues to unfold, it highlights the intersection of law, public perception, and individual accountability in today’s society. For more detailed insights on the judicial process and public reactions, you can explore this NPR article on the topic.
