A federal appeals court has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s $83 million defamation payment to writer E. Jean Carroll, requiring a nearly $100 million bond instead while the case heads to the Supreme Court. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals granted Trump’s stay request this week, marking a significant legal development in the years-long defamation battle.
Court Demands Increased Bond
The Second Circuit ruled Monday that Trump can delay the $83.3 million payment until the Supreme Court either reviews his case or declines to hear it. The court approved the stay with one critical condition: Trump must increase his bond by $7.46 million to cover accruing interest during the extended legal proceedings. Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan confirmed the bond now exceeds $91 million, with the additional increase pushing it near $100 million total.
Background of the Legal Battle
Carroll alleged in 2019 that Trump sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room during the 1990s, though she couldn’t specify the date or year. Trump denied the allegations and called Carroll “not my type.” A Manhattan jury in May 2023 found Trump liable for sexual abuse but not rape, initially awarding Carroll $5 million. An appeals court later upheld that verdict.
The $83.3 million judgment stems from a separate January 2024 defamation case related to Trump’s 2019 statements about Carroll. Trump’s legal team attempted to invoke presidential immunity over those remarks, but courts rejected that argument. The massive award includes compensatory and punitive damages for statements Trump made while disputing Carroll’s accusations.
What Happens Next
The case now awaits potential Supreme Court review, which could take months or longer to resolve. Trump’s legal team requested the stay after the Second Circuit denied their bid to challenge the defamation award before the full appeals court. Carroll’s legal team expressed satisfaction with the bond requirement, ensuring Trump must maintain substantial collateral while pursuing further appeals. The stay prevents Carroll from collecting the judgment during the ongoing legal process, but guarantees funds remain secured if Trump ultimately loses at the Supreme Court level.
Sources
The Gateway Pundit: Federal Appeals Court Blocks Trump’s $83 Million Payment to E Jean Carroll
