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A federal appeals court on Monday upheld an $83 million defamation verdict against President Donald Trump, rejecting his argument that he was shielded by presidential immunity when he attacked writer E. Jean Carroll during his first term in office.
The unanimous ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals leaves Trump responsible for one of the largest defamation awards ever levied against a U.S. president.
“[W]e conclude that Trump has failed to identify any grounds that would warrant reconsidering our prior holding on presidential immunity,” the three-judge panel wrote. They added that the “degree of reprehensibility” of Trump’s conduct was “remarkably high, perhaps unprecedented.”
Trump’s arguments rejected
Trump’s lawyers had urged the court to toss the verdict, claiming the damages “severely damage the presidency and [are] a great miscarriage of justice.” They also argued that his statements dismissing Carroll’s accusations were made through official White House channels and should fall under presidential protections.
But the panel sided with Carroll, finding that Trump’s comments were personal attacks tied to allegations of sexual assault in the 1990s — not part of his official duties. “He was defaming Carroll because of her revelation,” the judges wrote, echoing Carroll’s lawyers’ position that the remarks had nothing to do with government policy.
Carroll’s response
Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, praised the decision. “We look forward to an end to the appellate process so that justice will finally be done,” she said in a statement.
Kaplan had argued that Trump’s persistent and public defamation campaign — including comments made during the trial itself — justified the jury’s award, which included $11 million for reputational harm, $7.3 million for emotional distress and $65 million in punitive damages.
“The punitive award was not only just, but clearly aimed at deterring further defamation,” Kaplan told the appeals court.
Long-running legal battle
Carroll first came forward in 2019, alleging that Trump sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump denied the allegation, calling it a “hoax” and a “con job,” prompting Carroll to sue for defamation.
A New York jury in January 2024 awarded Carroll $83.3 million in damages after finding Trump liable for defaming her repeatedly over several years. The sum has grown with New York’s 9% annual interest rate on judgments.
The appeals court previously upheld a separate $5 million award from Carroll’s second lawsuit, in which Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Trump is appealing that case to the Supreme Court.
Court underscores severity
In affirming the $83 million judgment, the 2nd Circuit concluded the high damages were warranted, citing Trump’s “malice and deceit” and his relentless efforts to discredit Carroll.
“Given the unique and egregious facts of this case, we conclude that the punitive damages award did not exceed the bounds of reasonableness,” the panel wrote.
Trump has repeatedly denied Carroll’s claims and any wrongdoing.
