The US Supreme Court has delivered a significant blow to former President Donald Trump's reputation by refusing to overturn a £4 million verdict awarded to E Jean Carroll in her defamation lawsuit against him. The justices' decision to reject Trump's appeal is a stark reminder of the judicial system's commitment to upholding the rule of law, even for those in positions of power.
The lower court's ruling, which upheld the 2023 jury verdict, has now been ratified at the highest level in the United States. The original judgment found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and then defaming her through his denials, a decision that was based on evidence presented during the trial. Trump had argued that the judge had improperly allowed jurors to consider this evidence, but these claims have now been dismissed.
The case against Trump dates back to 2019, when Carroll, a former Elle magazine columnist, published an excerpt from her memoir alleging that he had raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan around 1996. Trump has consistently denied the allegations, claiming that they were fabricated. This latest ruling solidifies the original verdict and brings an end to Trump's appeals process in this specific case.
The outcome marks another legal setback for Donald Trump, who is currently facing a multitude of challenges. The decision sends a clear message about the judiciary's stance on evidence and conduct in high-profile cases, particularly those involving public figures.