A U.S. federal appeals court has denied former President Donald Trump’s attempt to delay a $5.8 million payment to writer E. Jean Carroll, stemming from her 2023 sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit. This decision upholds a lower court’s order to release the funds, which had been held in a court-managed account throughout the appeals process. The sum includes the initial $5 million judgment plus accrued interest.
The appeals court’s ruling comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision not to review Trump’s appeal, thereby maintaining the original judgment. Judge Lewis Kaplan emphasized that the legal avenues have been thoroughly pursued and concluded, asserting that the time has come for the payment to be made.
Despite the court’s clear stance, Trump continues to dispute the allegations and challenges the legal interpretation of the agreement concerning the release of the funds. He has consistently denied the accusations made by Carroll and remains engaged in legal maneuvers to contest the judgment.
The case has drawn significant attention, as it involves not only the financial implications but also the broader legal and moral questions surrounding the allegations. The court’s latest decision marks a significant step in upholding the judgment, reinforcing the earlier legal findings against Trump.