Le juge ordonne la libération de plus de 5 millions de dollars dus à E. Jean Carroll dans l'affaire Trump

A federal judge has ruled that over $5 million in damages awarded to E. Jean Carroll must be released to her following a 2023 civil jury verdict that found former President Donald Trump liable for both sexual abuse and defamation. The funds, which had been held in a court-controlled account for nearly three years, are now set to be transferred to Carroll, though the exact timing remains uncertain. This decision comes despite last-minute objections from Trump’s legal team, who sought to keep the money in escrow pending further appeals.

The dispute originated from a jury trial that concluded in 2023, where a unanimous panel determined that Trump had sexually assaulted Carroll during a 1990s encounter in a department store. The jury also found Trump responsible for defamation based on his public denials of the incident, including claims that he did not know Carroll and referred to her allegations as a “hoax” and a “con.” These denials formed the crux of Carroll’s defamation claim, which she pursued alongside the sexual abuse allegation.

Following the jury’s decision, Trump’s legal representatives immediately appealed the ruling, challenging the admissibility of certain evidence presented during the trial. However, the Supreme Court declined to take up the appeal in June 2026, effectively allowing the judgment to stand. Despite this, Trump continued to seek intervention from higher courts, most recently requesting that the Supreme Court reconsider its decision. His legal team argued that the constitutional implications of the case could overlap with another ongoing defamation lawsuit, in which a jury awarded Carroll over $83 million in 2024.

On July 8, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan issued an order mandating the immediate release of the $5 million award, along with accrued interest. The judge criticized Trump’s prolonged attempts to delay the payout, stating that it was time for him to “do equity” and fulfill the court’s judgment. The ruling followed a motion from Carroll and her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, who requested expedited processing of the funds. Kaplan described Trump’s efforts to prolong the process as “gamesmanship,” aimed at buying time to develop alternative legal strategies.

The judge also expressed skepticism about the likelihood of the Supreme Court revisiting the case, noting that such requests for rehearing are exceptionally rare. This sentiment was echoed by legal analysts, who pointed out that the Supreme Court typically avoids re-examining cases it has already dismissed unless extraordinary circumstances arise.

Carroll’s legal team emphasized the importance of receiving the funds promptly, highlighting the emotional and financial toll the protracted litigation had taken on her. They argued that the delay had caused unnecessary hardship and that the court’s mandate should be honored without further obstruction. Meanwhile, Trump’s attorneys continue to explore potential avenues for appeal, though their options appear increasingly limited given the Supreme Court’s previous refusal to intervene.

The release of the $5 million marks a significant milestone in a high-profile legal battle that has drawn national attention. It underscores the complex interplay between personal liability, constitutional protections, and the judicial system’s role in enforcing civil judgments. While the outcome of the broader legal disputes involving Trump remains uncertain, the immediate transfer of the funds represents a tangible resolution for one aspect of the case.