Key facts
- Donald Trump's lawyers are asking the Supreme Court to overturn an $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded to E. Jean Carroll.
- The appeal argues that Trump, as president, is immune from the litigation.
- Carroll has already collected nearly $5.63 million from Trump.
- A previous jury awarded Carroll $5 million in 2022.
- A 2024 jury ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million for statements made in 2019.
- The Justice Department intends to intervene in the case under the Westfall Act.
Donald Trump's legal team is asking the Supreme Court to overturn an $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll, according to reports. The appeal argues that Trump, as president, should be immune from such litigation, citing a previous court decision granting broad immunity for actions taken in office. Trump's attorneys contend that imposing damages on a president for conduct during their term is unprecedented and could harm future presidencies. The Justice Department has signaled its intent to intervene in the case under the Westfall Act, which shields federal employees from tort suits for official duties, potentially ending Carroll's defamation case. Carroll has already collected nearly $5.63 million from Trump. This latest appeal follows the Supreme Court's earlier decision to decline hearing Trump's bid to overturn a separate $5 million verdict related to sexual abuse and defamation claims from the 1990s.