A federal judge has ordered the release of more than $5 million to writer E. Jean Carroll, rejecting an attempt by Donald Trump to delay payment while he continues his legal fight.
In a ruling issued Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan denied Trump’s request to keep the funds on hold until the Supreme Court of the United States decides whether it will reconsider his appeal challenging the jury’s verdict.
The decision clears the way for Carroll to receive the money after the Supreme Court recently declined to hear Trump’s initial appeal. Trump has since filed a motion asking the court to reconsider that decision, though it remains uncertain whether his legal team will seek an emergency stay to block the payment.
Trump’s attorneys argued that Carroll would suffer little harm from a temporary delay because interest would compensate her if the judgment is upheld. They also contended that releasing the funds now could cause irreversible harm to Trump, claiming Carroll has indicated she plans to donate the money, making it difficult to recover if the ruling is later overturned.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team criticized the lawsuits as politically motivated and said the president would continue challenging the rulings while remaining focused on his agenda.
The case is one of two civil lawsuits brought by Carroll against Trump. A jury previously found that Trump sexually abused and later defamed Carroll, resulting in a judgment exceeding $5 million. In a separate defamation case, another jury awarded Carroll $83 million in damages over statements Trump made in 2022. Trump has said he also intends to ask the Supreme Court to review that verdict before the filing deadline later this month.
The legal battle remains ongoing as both sides continue to pursue their next steps through the courts.
Source: CNN
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