The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear President Donald Trump’s appeal of the civil verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll and defaming her, leaving a $5 million judgment in place.

Supreme Court Lets Verdict Stand

By refusing to take up the case, the nation’s highest court allows a lower court ruling to remain in effect. The decision does not represent a new ruling on the facts of the case but means the original civil verdict will stand.

A New York jury concluded in 2023 that Trump was liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a Manhattan department store during the mid-1990s and for later defaming her after she publicly accused him. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.

Another Appeal Still Ahead

Trump continues to deny Carroll’s allegations and has maintained that the encounter never happened. His legal team has also indicated it plans to continue challenging a separate $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded to Carroll in a later civil trial.

That second verdict stemmed from statements Trump made after the first jury found him liable, leading another jury to conclude he had continued to defame Carroll.

Civil Case, Not Criminal Proceedings

The Carroll lawsuits were civil cases, meaning the juries determined liability under the civil standard of proof, known as the “preponderance of the evidence.” Trump has not been criminally charged or convicted in connection with Carroll’s allegations.

The Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the appeal does not endorse or reject the lower courts’ reasoning. Instead, it simply leaves the existing judgment in place.

Court Nears End of Its Term

The decision comes as the Supreme Court prepares to conclude its current term, which has featured several high-profile cases involving the Trump administration.

Among the remaining decisions is a closely watched case concerning Trump’s executive order on birthright citizenship, one of the most significant rulings still pending before the court.

Why the Decision Matters

Although the Supreme Court offered no explanation for declining the appeal, the outcome represents another legal setback for Trump in his long-running dispute with Carroll. Attention now shifts to the separate appeal involving the larger $83.3 million defamation award, which could become the next major chapter in the years-long legal battle.