Victoria Bekiempis

A federal appeals court rejected Donald Trump’s attempt to delay payment of roughly $5.8m owed to E Jean Carroll after her successful sexual abuse and defamation case. Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered the release of funds held since 2023, citing Trump’s years of delay and noting that all appeals, including at the supreme court, have been exhausted. Carroll’s attorneys argued the agreement required payment once the supreme court declined review, while Trump’s legal team claimed the agreement was misinterpreted.

A Manhattan federal judge ordered the release of roughly $5.8m owed by Donald Trump to E Jean Carroll after the US Supreme Court declined to review his appeal of the 2023 sexual abuse and defamation verdict. Trump immediately filed notice of a new appeal, arguing that releasing the court‑held funds risks irreparable loss if he ultimately prevails. Carroll’s legal team, citing the original agreement and the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene, argued the case has reached its end. Legal experts say further attempts by Trump to delay payment are unlikely to succeed, making Carroll’s collection of the funds almost certain.

A federal judge ordered the release of about $5.8m that Donald Trump owes E Jean Carroll from her successful sexual abuse and defamation case after Trump attempted to delay the payment. The order followed the US Supreme Court’s refusal to hear his appeal, which under a prior agreement triggered the release of funds held in a court-controlled account. Trump’s legal team argued that distributing the money before a petition for rehearing is resolved would cause irreparable harm, while Carroll’s attorneys argued the case should conclude after years of litigation.