Trump’s Defamation Case Ruling Upheld by Appeals Court

A federal appeals court in New York has decided not to reconsider its earlier ruling in President Trump’s defamation lawsuit against author E. Jean Carroll.

A jury had awarded Carroll $83 million in damages in 2024, finding that Trump had defamed her when he denied her allegations of sexual assault from the early 1990s. Trump has consistently denied these claims, remarking, “I tried to replace the United States as the defendant and claim presidential immunity, but I failed.”

A separate jury previously ruled against Carroll in a different trial, which pursued damages of $5 million based on allegations of defamation and sexual abuse. The 2nd Circuit had dismissed Trump’s appeals in the past.

On Wednesday, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stated that Trump had filed his claims too late.

Judge Denny Chin noted, “The fact is that no other defendant will be allowed to act on the United States’ behalf 15 months after his trial and sentencing. The court properly declined to convene en masse to reconsider this matter.”

E. Jean Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision.

“I am pleased that the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has denied President Trump’s motion for an en banc hearing regarding the verdict of the second jury trial,” Kaplan stated.

She added that Carroll is eager to have this long-standing lawsuit, which she filed in 2019, finally resolved so that she can achieve justice.

According to reports, Trump may take this decision to the Supreme Court. A White House spokesperson stated on Wednesday, “The American people stand with President Trump in demanding an immediate end to the illegal and extremist weaponization of our justice system,” claiming Carroll’s allegations were “fabricated” and “false.”