A federal judge in New York has ordered that E. Jean Carroll be paid $5 million plus interest following a jury verdict that found President Donald Trump civilly liable for sexually abusing and defaming her. The order was issued on July 8, 2026, after Trump's lawyers requested that Judge Lewis Kaplan not disburse nearly $5.8 million that Trump had deposited with the court to satisfy the jury award from May 2023.
Judge Kaplan's ruling directed the funds to be released to Carroll, referencing an agreement between her and Trump that stipulated the payment should be made if the Supreme Court denied Trump's request to hear his appeal of the verdict. The Supreme Court rejected this request on June 29, 2026.
Trump's attorneys argued that Carroll should not receive the funds until the Supreme Court resolves a new petition for reconsideration regarding his appeal. However, Kaplan dismissed this argument, stating that requiring Carroll to wait would be unfair and against the public interest.
Following the ruling, Trump's legal team filed an appeal with the 2nd Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. They contended that the agreement prohibits collection while proceedings are pending before the Supreme Court. Additionally, they noted that Carroll has indicated she intends to donate any funds received, which could complicate recovery if the verdict is overturned.
Carroll's legal representatives argued that she is automatically entitled to the award and accrued interest due to the Supreme Court's denial of Trump's petition. They emphasized that the court did not express dissent regarding its decision.
This ruling comes amid ongoing legal challenges for Trump, who has also been ordered to pay Carroll $83.3 million in a separate defamation case related to statements he made while in office. Trump's financial disclosure report for 2025 lists both verdicts as liabilities.