President Donald Trump’s legal team has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll. The petition, filed Tuesday, argues that the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals erred by failing to consider whether Trump’s presidential immunity shielded him from liability for statements made during his first term.
Core Facts
The Second Circuit upheld the judgment in April, which stemmed from Trump’s public denials of Carroll’s allegations that he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. A Manhattan jury awarded Carroll $65 million in punitive damages and $18.3 million for suffering in January 2024. Trump’s legal team contends the appeals court overlooked the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling on presidential immunity, which broadly protects presidents from criminal liability for official actions.
Legal Arguments
Trump’s attorneys argue that the Second Circuit’s decision is unprecedented, as it imposes damages liability on a president for conduct in office. They claim Trump’s statements were made from the White House in response to press inquiries, denying allegations that questioned his fitness for office. The Justice Department, now led by Trump’s former criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche, supports the petition, citing the Westfall Act, which protects federal employees from liability for official acts.
Background Context
The $83.3 million judgment is separate from a $5 million verdict in another case where Trump was found liable for sexually abusing Carroll and defaming her. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, has argued that Trump’s continued denials warrant punitive damages. Trump has consistently denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated and false.
Opposing Perspectives
Carroll’s legal team has not publicly responded to Trump’s Supreme Court petition. The case hinges on whether Trump’s statements about Carroll, made while in office, are shielded by presidential immunity—a question the Second Circuit did not resolve before upholding the judgment.