Appeals Court Rejects Trump’s Request to Rehear $83 Million E. Jean Carroll Case

A federal appeals court dealt a significant legal blow to President Donald Trump on Wednesday, declining to rehear his appeal of the $83 million jury award granted to columnist E. Jean Carroll. The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit clears the path for the case to potentially reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

In a split decision, the majority of the court’s judges denied Trump’s motion for an "en banc" hearing—a rare proceeding where the full bench of judges reviews a case rather than the standard three-judge panel. This ruling upholds a previous September decision that affirmed the 2024 jury verdict. That jury found Trump defamed Carroll in 2022 when he denied her sexual assault allegations, claimed she "wasn't his type," and suggested she fabricated the story to boost book sales.

Trump’s legal team has consistently argued that the case should be dismissed based on presidential immunity. They contend that the statements in question were made within the scope of his official duties as president while responding to reporters. A spokesman for the President's legal team criticized the ruling on Wednesday, calling the litigation a "Democrat-funded travesty" and "Liberal Lawfare," vowing to escalate the fight to the nation's highest court.

However, the appeals panel previously ruled that Trump had waived his right to claim immunity in this specific instance. While three dissenting judges on Wednesday argued that the Supreme Court's landmark 2024 immunity ruling necessitated a fresh look at the case, the majority disagreed, noting that the specific legal issues raised in the petition did not warrant a full-court review.

Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, expressed a desire to see the six-year legal battle come to a close so her client can "finally obtain justice." This $83 million judgment is separate from a previous $5 million award granted to Carroll in a 2023 trial, which found Trump liable for sexual abuse and a different instance of defamation.

As the President's legal team prepares a petition for the U.S. Supreme Court, the core of the debate remains: did the 2024 immunity decision grant absolute protection for a president's public comments, or can those comments be considered personal acts subject to civil liability?

Explore NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the valley.