Key facts
- Donald Trump's legal team is asking the Supreme Court to overturn an $83.3 million verdict.
- The verdict was awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll.
- The lawsuit was for defamation.
- Trump's legal team argues for presidential immunity from civil litigation.
- A jury found Trump liable for defamation.
- The jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages.
- The damages included $65 million in punitive damages.
- The jury's decision was made in December 2023.
Donald Trump's legal team is petitioning the Supreme Court to overturn a jury's $83.3 million defamation judgment in favor of writer E. Jean Carroll. The core of their appeal rests on the assertion that Trump, by virtue of his position as president, should be shielded from civil litigation of this nature.
Carroll was awarded the significant sum after a jury determined that Trump had defamed her. This verdict stemmed from statements Trump made in response to Carroll's allegations of sexual assault. The jury's decision, reached in December 2023, found Trump liable for defamation and awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages. This total included $65 million designated as punitive damages, intended to punish Trump for his actions and deter future misconduct.