Corte Suprema cierra la puerta a Trump: Ratifica millonario pago a Carroll
Supreme Court Says "No" to Trump Again: The E. Jean Carroll Case Explained Simply
What Just Happened?
Imagine a referee at a game making a call. One team doesn’t like it, so they ask the "head referee" (the Supreme Court) to change the decision. The head referee looks at it and says, "Nope, the original call stands."
That’s basically what happened on Monday. The U.S. Supreme Court refused—for the second time—to step in and help former President Donald Trump undo a jury’s decision that he owes writer E. Jean Carroll $5 million.
The Backstory: How We Got Here
1. The Allegation
- E. Jean Carroll is a well-known advice columnist and former TV talk show host.
- In a 2023 trial, she testified that in the mid-1990s, Trump turned a friendly run-in at Bergdorf Goodman (a luxury department store across from Trump Tower in Manhattan) into a violent sexual assault in a dressing room.
2. The First Verdict ($5 Million)
- A jury listened to the evidence and decided:
- Trump was responsible for sexually abusing Carroll.
- Trump defamed her (damaged her reputation) when he denied her accusation in 2022, calling it a "hoax" and a "lie."
- The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.
3. Trump’s First Appeal
- Trump’s lawyers asked the Supreme Court to hear his appeal and throw out the verdict.
- In June 2024, the Court said "no thanks"—they declined to hear the case.
- Trump paid the $5 million shortly after.
4. The Second Try (What Happened Monday)
- Trump’s lawyers asked the Court to reconsider their June refusal.
- On Monday, the Court said "no" again—denying the request along with several others.
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Important: It’s rare for the Court to grant these "reconsideration" requests, but it does happen occasionally.
There’s a Second Case, Too ($83 Million)
This isn’t the only legal battle between Trump and Carroll.
| Case | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|
| First verdict (sexual abuse + 2022 defamation) | $5 million | Final — Supreme Court said no twice; Trump paid. |
| Second verdict (defamation for 2019 comments) | $83.3 million | Still pending — Supreme Court hasn’t decided yet. |
What’s the Second Case About?
- In 2019, while Trump was President, he made public comments denying Carroll’s claims and insulting her.
- A second jury decided those comments were defamation and awarded Carroll $83.3 million.
- Trump and the Department of Justice (DOJ) argue: Presidents have "absolute immunity" from lawsuits for things they say while in office.
- The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on this appeal.
Key Terms Explained (ELI5 Style)
Callout: Important Words to Know
- Jury: A group of regular citizens who listen to evidence in a trial and decide the facts.
- Verdict: The jury’s official decision.
- Defamation: Saying something false about someone that hurts their reputation.
- Damages: Money a court orders someone to pay for harm they caused.
- Appeal: Asking a higher court to review and possibly change a lower court’s decision.
- Supreme Court: The highest court in the U.S.—the "head referee." They choose which cases to hear.
- Immunity: Legal protection that prevents someone from being sued or prosecuted.
Why Does This Matter?
- Finality for the $5M case: Trump has exhausted his options at the highest level. The verdict stands. He paid.
- Presidential immunity test: The $83M case asks a huge question: Can a President be sued for things they say while in office? The Court’s answer will set a major precedent.
- Accountability: Two separate juries found Trump liable. The legal system is treating him like any other citizen—for now.
Summary
- Supreme Court rejected Trump’s request to reconsider the $5 million verdict in E. Jean Carroll’s favor.
- This was the second "no" from the Court on this case. Trump has already paid the $5 million.
- A second verdict for $83.3 million is still being appealed. Trump claims presidential immunity for comments made in 2019.
- The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to hear that appeal.
- Trump continues to deny all wrongdoing.
FAQ
1. Did Trump admit he did anything wrong?
No. Trump has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations and any wrongdoing. Paying the $5 million was required by the court order, not an admission of guilt.
2. Why did the Supreme Court say no?
The Court doesn’t explain why it declines cases. It receives thousands of requests each year and only hears about 60–80. Saying "no" just means the lower court’s decision stands.
3. What is "presidential immunity"?
It’s a legal argument that a sitting President cannot be sued or prosecuted for official acts done while in office. Trump’s team says his 2019 denials were "official acts." Lower courts have rejected this so far.
4. Can Carroll get the $83 million now?
Not yet. The appeals process is still ongoing. If the Supreme Court ultimately rejects Trump’s appeal (or refuses to hear it), the verdict becomes final and enforceable.
5. Has any President been sued for things they said while in office?
Yes—Bill Clinton was sued by Paula Jones for actions allegedly taken before he was President. The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in Clinton v. Jones (1997) that a sitting President has no immunity from civil suits for unofficial acts. Trump’s case tests whether public statements count as "official acts."
This article is based on Associated Press reporting. The AP does not name alleged sexual assault victims unless they come forward publicly, as Carroll has done.