A federal appeals court in the United States has turned down former President Donald Trump’s recent bid to further postpone the disbursement of $5.8 million to writer E. Jean Carroll. This decision stems from Carroll’s victory in a 2023 lawsuit where she accused Trump of sexual abuse and defamation. The funds had been held in a court-controlled account while the legal proceedings were ongoing.
The amount Trump is required to pay includes the initial $5 million awarded by the court, along with accrued interest. Trump’s attempt to delay this payment was in response to a lower court’s directive for the release of the funds. However, this effort was stymied by the latest ruling of the appeals court, which aligns with the previous stance of the judiciary on this matter.
This development follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to decline hearing Trump’s appeal. By refusing to engage with the case, the Supreme Court effectively upheld the original judgment, leaving no further avenue for appeal. Judge Lewis Kaplan has emphasized that the legal avenues have been fully pursued, and it is time for the judgment to be executed.
Despite the court’s decision, Trump maintains his denial of all allegations and continues to dispute the legal interpretation surrounding the agreement for fund release. His legal team’s efforts to contest the judgment have not altered the requirement for the payment to Carroll, as established by the court’s ruling.