A federal appeals court has rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump‘s attempt to challenge a $5 million civil judgment. The decision came after a jury in New York found him liable in 2023 for the battery and defamation of writer E. Jean Carroll.
The ruling was made by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Trump had asked for the full panel of judges to review the case, but the court declined to hold a new hearing.
The case involved claims by Carroll that Trump assaulted her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. A jury found her story credible and awarded her $2 million for battery and $3 million for defamation.
Trump has denied the allegations and said his comments were made in response to a politically motivated accusation. He has continued to argue that his statements were protected under free speech.
The appeals court’s decision to deny a rehearing came without explanation. This is a common practice for such rulings. However, three judges wrote in a separate opinion that they saw no legal error made by the district court.
One judge disagreed. Steven Menashi, a Trump appointee, said the defense should have been allowed to show that Trump believed Carroll’s claims were politically motivated. He argued that this might have shown Trump was not acting with actual malice.
Carroll’s legal team welcomed the court’s decision. They said Trump’s repeated legal challenges have failed, and he remains responsible for his actions. Carroll filed her lawsuit under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which allows older claims of sexual misconduct to be brought to court.
This is not Trump’s only legal battle with Carroll. In a separate case, he was ordered to pay her $83 million in damages for defamation. That ruling came in early 2024 and is currently being appealed.
Trump’s legal team argues that his comments were part of his official duties and are protected by the Constitution. They say the court should not hold him responsible for defending himself against false accusations.
The legal battle between Trump and Carroll began in 2019, when Carroll publicly accused him of sexual assault. Trump denied the claim and said she made it up to promote her book. Carroll then sued for defamation.
When New York passed the Adult Survivors Act, she filed a second lawsuit. Both cases went to trial. Trump did not attend the first trial but later gave a short testimony in the second case.
The jury believed Carroll and awarded her millions in damages. Trump has continued to appeal both verdicts as he runs for president again.
These cases are part of a long list of legal problems Trump faces. He is also dealing with criminal charges related to the 2020 election and classified documents.
Despite the court rulings, Trump remains a top figure in U.S. politics. His supporters say the cases are unfair, while critics say they show a pattern of misconduct.
The court’s decision on Friday adds another legal defeat for Trump, but the fight is likely to continue. As of now, he remains liable for the $5 million judgment.
