E Jean Carroll Battles President Trump’s Bid to Dismiss $83M Verdict

E Jean Carroll’s lawyers are resisting President Donald Trump’s last-ditch attempt to have the Supreme Court overturn an $83 million damages award against him. The verdict, delivered on 26 January 2024, stems from Carroll’s sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit against the president, who denies all allegations. Carroll’s legal team filed their opposition on 30 October, arguing the court should not shield the president from consequences of his repeated litigation strategies.

Background of the Verdict and Legal Battle

The $83 million award followed Carroll’s initial $5 million win in a related sexual abuse and defamation case against Trump. The litigation centers on Carroll’s claim that Trump assaulted her in a Manhattan department store dressing room decades ago, an allegation first made public in a June 2019 New York magazine article excerpting her book What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal. Despite Trump’s denials, jurors found in Carroll’s favor in the second trial, which focused on damages.

Trump’s Arguments for Supreme Court Review

President Trump’s legal team is seeking Supreme Court intervention primarily on the basis of presidential immunity. They argue that Trump cannot be held liable for conduct allegedly occurring during his time in office, including statements made in 2019 when he called Carroll a liar. His lawyers contend that without a court review, the sitting president faces nearly $100 million in personal liability for actions within his federal office’s scope. They assert such a ruling threatens the presidency itself by potentially chilling executive power for future presidents.

Carroll’s Legal Team’s Strong Opposition

Led by attorney Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s lawyers emphasize that multiple lower courts have upheld the verdict, undermining Trump’s request for further review. They highlight Carroll’s prolonged legal battle over seven years, involving five appeals, eight stay motions, and six days of trial, all while she endured relentless accusations and thousands of violent threats from Trump’s followers on social media and via email. The defamatory statements, they say, triggered a “domino effect” of attacks, including threats of sexual and physical violence and death.

Carroll’s team wrote, “While this President may want this Court’s help, the Presidency does not need it,” underscoring their position that Trump’s personal legal troubles should not implicate the office he holds.

Trump’s Response and Current Status

In September 2023, President Trump agreed to cease contesting the initial jury verdict after the Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal. Despite this, he continues to pursue overturning the $83 million damages award. A spokesman for Trump’s legal team dismissed Carroll’s filing as part of “Witch Hunts” funded by Democrats, affirming their confidence in Trump’s ongoing legal victories and commitment to his political agenda.

The case remains a high-profile example of the legal battles involving a sitting president and the limits of presidential immunity in personal conduct cases.

As the Supreme Court considers whether to take up the case, Carroll’s legal fight highlights the complexities of balancing presidential privilege with accountability. The coming months will be critical in determining the final outcome of this landmark dispute.