A Manhattan federal appeals court has dismissed Donald Trump's most recent effort to postpone the payment of over £4.5 million to E Jean Carroll. The decision, made late on Wednesday, follows her successful 2023 trial for sexual abuse and defamation against the former US President.
The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its ruling just hours after Mr Trump submitted legal documents challenging Manhattan federal court judge Lewis Kaplan's order to release the funds. This money has been held in a court-controlled account since June 2023. Mr Trump continues to deny all allegations of wrongdoing.
Mr Trump had sought an "immediate administrative stay" from the Second Circuit "on an emergency basis." His request aimed to "preserve the status quo" while the court considered his forthcoming request for a stay during the ongoing appeals process, according to court papers. With accrued interest, the total amount currently held by the court stands at approximately £4.5 million (around $5.8 million).
Judge Kaplan's order explicitly directed the disbursement of the principal judgment of £3.9 million ($5 million) and additional post-judgment interest. In a memorandum explaining his decision, Judge Kaplan stated, "In the last analysis, defendant has been stalling this case for years. A jury unanimously concluded that he sexually abused and defamed plaintiff and awarded her damages accordingly." He added, "The judgment on that verdict has been upheld on appeal. En banc rehearing has been denied. The Supreme Court has denied certiorari without dissent. It’s time for him to ‘do equity’ and pay the judgment."
This mandate from Judge Kaplan followed the US Supreme Court's refusal on 29th June to hear Mr Trump's appeal in Ms Carroll's case. After the Supreme Court justices declined his request, Ms Carroll's attorneys asked Judge Kaplan to order the prompt release of the funds. Lead attorney Roberta Kaplan argued in court filings, "After four years of litigation across every level of the federal court system, it is time for this case to end. And under the Court’s Stipulation and Order, Carroll is now entitled to obtain payment of the money due under the judgment."
Mr Trump had previously asked Judge Kaplan not to release the funds, stating he intended to ask the Supreme Court to reconsider hearing his appeal. Roughly six weeks after Ms Carroll's victory, both legal teams had agreed that Mr Trump could deposit £3.9 million ($5 million), plus 11% interest, into a court-administered fund while his appeals proceeded. As part of that agreement, Ms Carroll's lawyers contended that the money was to be paid out upon definitive legal developments, including the Supreme Court rejecting Mr Trump's appeal. Mr Trump's team, however, claimed Ms Carroll's representatives had an "incorrect reading" of this agreement, asserting it "does not permit collection while the rehearing petition remains unresolved."