E. Jean Carroll receives $5.6 million from Trump in sexual abuse and defamation case

Following three years of legal challenges, court-ordered escrow, and repeated appeals, writer E. Jean Carroll officially collected the damages awarded to her in a 2023 civil trial. The payment, which includes the original jury award plus accrued interest, was disbursed on July 14, 2026, marking the resolution of the first of two high-profile legal judgments against President Donald Trump.

The total sum of approximately $5.6 million was released from a court-controlled account where it had been held since the conclusion of the 2023 trial. A Manhattan federal jury had unanimously found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a department store dressing room in 1996 and subsequently defaming her after she detailed the encounter in a 2019 memoir. Throughout the legal process, Trump consistently denied the allegations, characterizing the case as a “hoax,” a “Witch Hunt,” and politically motivated. Despite his denials, the Supreme Court declined to hear his appeal of the 2023 verdict on June 29, 2026, effectively clearing the path for the release of the funds.

Media additions

The final disbursement followed a period of intense legal maneuvering. In early July 2026, Trump’s attorneys filed requests to further delay the payment, citing a transition in his legal team. These filings requested more time to allow new counsel to familiarize themselves with the case, arguing that Carroll faced no risk of material harm because the funds were already secured in escrow. However, the plaintiff’s legal team characterized these requests as "gamesmanship" and an "attempt to buy time."

On July 8, 2026, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan rejected the defense's request to stay the payment, noting that the president "has been stalling this case for years" and that it was time to "do equity."

"Three years ago, a unanimous nine-person jury found President Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming E. Jean Carroll. Today, we are pleased to report that she has received the damages payment the jury awarded her as a result of that verdict."

Roberta Kaplan, Carroll’s attorney, via NPR

Carroll, now 82, acknowledged the transfer of funds on her Substack blog, writing, "the eagle has landed." In a message to her readers, she extended thanks to her legal team and specifically mentioned former Trump attorney Alina Habba. Carroll’s lawyers have indicated in court filings that the funds are intended for a retirement account.

While this payment satisfies the 2023 judgment, a significantly larger financial dispute remains unresolved. In a separate 2024 trial, a different jury found Trump liable for further defamatory statements regarding Carroll and awarded her roughly $83 million. That judgment is currently under appeal. The second case notably involves questions of presidential immunity, as it concerns statements made by Trump during his first term in office.

The resolution of the $5.6 million payment brings a close to the initial chapter of litigation between the two parties, though the broader legal conflict continues. The White House referred requests for comment to Trump's personal lawyers.

Chronology of the Dispute

• 1996 – The alleged assault occurs in a Manhattan department store.
• 2019 – Carroll publishes a memoir detailing the encounter; Trump responds by calling her a liar and denying they ever met.
• 2023 – A Manhattan federal jury awards Carroll $5 million for sexual abuse and defamation.
• 2024 – A separate jury finds Trump liable for additional defamatory statements, awarding $83 million.
• 29 June 2026 – The U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear Trump’s appeal of the 2023 verdict.
• 8 July 2026 – Judge Lewis A. Kaplan orders the immediate release of escrowed funds.
• 14 July 2026 – The payment of approximately $5.6 million is transferred to Carroll.

Carroll’s legal team remains focused on the pending $83 million award, which continues to move through federal appeals channels.