Trump pierde otra vez: Corte Suprema blinda compensación a su acusadora
Supreme Court Says "No" to Trump — Again: What Happened in the E. Jean Carroll Case?
The Big Picture in Simple Terms
Imagine a playground where two kids have a disagreement. One kid says, "You hurt me!" The other says, "No I didn’t, and you’re lying!" Grown-ups (a jury) listen to both sides and decide the first kid is telling the truth. They tell the second kid: "You have to pay $5 million for what you did."
The second kid doesn’t like this decision. He asks the principal of the whole school (the Supreme Court) to change it. The principal says: "Nope, the decision stands." Then the kid asks again: "Please reconsider!" The principal says: "Still no."
That’s basically what just happened in real life — but with a former president, a writer, and the highest court in the United States.
What Just Happened? (The Short Version)
Important Point: The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Donald Trump’s request to take another look at a jury’s decision that he owes $5 million to writer E. Jean Carroll for sexual abuse and defamation.
- This was a rejection of a "reconsideration" request — Trump’s lawyers asked the Court to think again after they already said "no" once.
- The Court said no again, along with several other similar requests.
- Trump already paid the $5 million back in June after the Court first refused to hear his appeal.
Who Is E. Jean Carroll?
She’s not just "someone making an accusation." Here’s her background:
- Veteran advice columnist — she gave people life advice for years
- Former TV talk show host
- Went public with her story — The Associated Press names her because she chose to come forward publicly
What Did the Jury Decide in 2023?
In a civil trial (not criminal — so no jail time, just money), a jury listened to evidence and decided:
| Claim | Jury’s Decision |
|---|---|
| Sexual abuse in the 1990s at Bergdorf Goodman department store | Yes, Trump is liable |
| Defamation — Trump called her a liar in 2022 when denying her accusation | Yes, Trump is liable |
| Total awarded | $5 million |
Important Point: "Liable" in civil court means responsible — like losing a lawsuit. It’s not the same as "guilty" in criminal court.
Wait — There’s a SECOND Case Too?
Yes! This is where it gets a little more complicated.
The Second Verdict: $83 Million
- In a separate trial, another jury awarded Carroll $83 million total for more defamation claims
- This was for things Trump said in 2019, while he was president
- Trump and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are now asking the Supreme Court to throw out this second verdict
Their Argument: Presidential Immunity
They claim:
"A president can’t be sued for things he says while doing his job as president."
The Supreme Court hasn’t decided yet on this second appeal.
How Does the Supreme Court Work? (ELI5 Version)
Think of the Supreme Court like the final referee in a sports league:
- Lower courts (district courts, appeals courts) make decisions
- If someone disagrees, they can ask the Supreme Court to review it
- The Court gets thousands of requests per year — but only takes about 60–70 cases
- Most requests are denied without explanation — that’s what happened here
Important Point: When the Supreme Court says "no" to hearing a case, the lower court’s decision stands. It doesn’t mean they agree — just that they won’t step in.
Step-by-Step: What Happened So Far
- 1990s — Carroll says Trump attacked her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman (across from Trump Tower)
- 2019 — Carroll goes public; Trump denies it, calls her a liar (while president)
- 2022 — Trump denies it again after leaving office
- 2023 — First trial: Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse + defamation → $5 million
- June 2024 — Supreme Court refuses to hear Trump’s appeal → Trump pays $5 million
- Early 2025 — Trump asks Supreme Court to reconsider → Denied again (this news)
- Ongoing — Second appeal ($83 million verdict) still pending at Supreme Court
Why Does This Matter?
- First time a former president has been held liable for sexual abuse in court
- Shows civil juries can hold powerful people accountable
- The second case tests presidential immunity — a huge legal question
- Trump denies all wrongdoing and calls the cases politically motivated
Summary
- The Supreme Court said "no" twice to Trump’s attempts to overturn a $5 million verdict for sexual abuse and defamation against E. Jean Carroll.
- Trump already paid that $5 million.
- A second, much larger verdict ($83 million) is still being fought — Trump claims presidential immunity for comments made in 2019.
- The Supreme Court hasn’t ruled yet on that second appeal.
- Carroll is a public figure who chose to share her story; the jury believed her.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Did Trump go to jail?
No. This was a civil case, not criminal. Civil cases are about money, not jail time. The jury said he owes money — they didn’t convict him of a crime.
What does "defamation" mean?
It means saying something false about someone that hurts their reputation. The jury decided Trump lied about Carroll when he called her accusation a "hoax" and "lie."
Why did the Supreme Court say no without explaining?
That’s normal. The Court rejects most requests without giving reasons. It doesn’t mean they agree or disagree — just that they won’t take the case.
What is "presidential immunity"?
It’s the idea that a president can’t be sued or prosecuted for official actions done as part of the job. Trump’s lawyers say his 2019 comments were "official duties." Courts are still deciding if that applies here.
Could Trump still win the second case?
Yes. The Supreme Court hasn’t ruled yet. If they agree with Trump’s immunity argument, the $83 million verdict could be erased. We’ll have to wait and see.
This article is based on reporting from The Associated Press, translated and adapted for clarity.