Judge Orders Trump to Pay E. Jean Carroll $5.8M; Carroll Pledges to Donate Entire Award

A federal judge in New York has ordered former President Donald Trump to pay $5.8 million to writer E. Jean Carroll, a civil judgment tied to a 2023 case that found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. On July 8, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan mandated the release of the funds, which include the original $5 million award plus accrued interest. Carroll has announced plans to donate every cent of the payout to charitable causes.

Details of the Court Order and Payment Release

The $5.8 million sum had been held in escrow within the federal government’s Court Registry Investment System while Trump pursued multiple appeals. The release came after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review Trump’s appeal in late June 2026, effectively ending his efforts to block the payment. Following the high court’s refusal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit also denied Trump’s request for a stay to delay the payment further, clearing the way for Judge Kaplan to order the funds’ disbursement to Carroll’s legal team.

In his order, Judge Kaplan criticized Trump for years of stalling tactics. He emphasized that the verdict, which found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against Carroll, had been repeatedly upheld on appeal. Kaplan stated it was time for Trump to “do equity” and comply with the judgment.

The Background of the Case and Previous Verdicts

The case originated from Carroll’s allegations that Trump sexually abused her in the mid-1990s inside the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan. A Manhattan jury found Trump liable in May 2023, awarding Carroll $5 million for damages related to sexual abuse and defamation after Trump denied the accusations in 2022. This $5.8 million payment reflects that initial judgment plus interest.

However, this is not the only judgment Carroll has secured against Trump. In January 2024, a separate New York jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation case stemming from the same allegations. That larger award is still under appeal and has not yet moved into the payment phase, making it a significant unresolved financial risk for Trump.

E. Jean Carroll’s Decision to Donate the Award

Following the court’s order, Carroll publicly declared that she will donate the entire $5.8 million payout to charity. Her legal team confirmed that the funds would be directed to organizations supporting survivors of sexual assault and other causes aligned with Carroll’s advocacy.

Carroll’s gesture highlights her ongoing commitment to using the legal victory not for personal financial gain but to support broader social efforts. This decision also marks a poignant conclusion to years of litigation that brought significant attention to issues of sexual assault, defamation, and accountability.

What’s Next in the Legal Battle

While this payment milestone represents a key moment in the Carroll-Trump litigation, the legal battle is not fully over. The $83.3 million January 2024 judgment remains subject to ongoing appeals. Trump’s legal team continues to challenge that award, and no payment schedule has been announced.

Observers note that the larger defamation verdict carries far greater financial implications for Trump. The recent payment order does not affect this separate case, which still could result in additional significant payouts if the appeals fail.

Trump has maintained on social media that he views the litigation as politically motivated “lawfare,” insisting he will continue to contest the judgments. Nevertheless, this week’s court order signals that at least one judgment has reached its enforcement stage.

With the release of the $5.8 million funds and Carroll’s announced donations, the case underscores how the courts have upheld the jury’s findings and set a precedent on accountability. For now, the focus shifts to the remaining unresolved appeals and what impact they may have on the ongoing legal saga.