The US Supreme Court has again declined to take up Donald Trump's appeal in the E. Jean Carroll case, leaving in place a verdict for which he has already paid the writer more than $5m in damages.
Key facts
- The Supreme Court rejected Trump's second bid to overturn the E. Jean Carroll verdict, according to reporting on 17 August 2026.
- Trump has already paid Carroll more than $5m in damages in the assault and defamation case, according to the BBC.
- The case relates to abuse claims dating to 1996, according to Al Jazeera.
- A spokesperson for Trump's legal team called Carroll's case a witch hunt and a hoax, according to CNBC.
The US Supreme Court has again declined to take up an appeal from President Donald Trump seeking to overturn the verdict in the E. Jean Carroll case, according to reporting published on 17 August 2026. It marks the second time the court has refused to intervene in the matter.
According to Al Jazeera, the decision means Carroll has secured another legal victory as the Supreme Court refused Trump’s appeal over abuse claims dating back to 1996.
The BBC reported that Trump has already paid the writer more than $5m in damages in the assault and defamation case. The Supreme Court’s refusal leaves the existing verdict in place.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team slammed Carroll’s case as a witch hunt and a hoax, according to CNBC.
With the Supreme Court declining to hear the appeal, the outcome of the lower court proceedings stands, closing off a further avenue for Trump to challenge the verdict through the nation’s highest court.
Why it matters
The Supreme Court's refusal to take up the appeal leaves a significant legal judgment against a sitting president intact. Because the court declined to intervene a second time, it effectively ends one of Trump's main routes to overturn the verdict and the multimillion-dollar damages already paid.
Frequently asked questions
How much has Trump paid E. Jean Carroll?
According to the BBC, Trump has already paid the writer more than $5m in damages in the assault and defamation case.
What did the Supreme Court decide?
The Supreme Court declined to hear Trump's appeal seeking to overturn the E. Jean Carroll verdict, marking the second time it has refused to intervene, according to reporting from 17 August 2026.
What year do the abuse claims relate to?
According to Al Jazeera, the case relates to abuse claims dating back to 1996.