President Trump pushes back against what he calls a “witch hunt,” taking his appeal against E. Jean Carroll’s allegations to the Supreme Court.
Story Highlights
- Trump appeals to the Supreme Court to overturn a $5 million judgment in the Carroll case.
- Carroll accused Trump of sexual abuse from an incident in 1996.
- Trump’s legal team argues there is no concrete evidence supporting Carroll’s claims.
- Trump and his supporters see the case as politically motivated.
Trump Appeals to the Supreme Court
President Donald Trump has requested the Supreme Court to review a $5 million civil judgment that found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll.
The appeal, filed on November 10, 2025, challenges the jury’s decision from 2023, which held Trump accountable for an alleged incident in a Manhattan department store dressing room in 1996.
Trump’s legal team argues that no eyewitnesses or video evidence exist to substantiate Carroll’s decades-old claims.
Trump is asking the SCOTUS to overturn the verdict that claims he sexually abused and defamed writer E. Jean Carroll
‘There were no eyewitnesses, no video evidence, and no police report or investigation’ — CNN citing appeal pic.twitter.com/CZQfsqvBNn
— RT (@RT_com) November 10, 2025
Legal Team’s Defense and Argument
According to Trump’s attorneys, the accusations are politically motivated, with Carroll waiting over 20 years to bring them forward. They assert that Carroll aimed to inflict political damage on Trump during his presidency.
The filing describes the allegations as part of a broader narrative labeled by Trump’s supporters as “Liberal Lawfare.” The legal team emphasizes the absence of concrete evidence, questioning the validity of the trial’s outcome.
A federal appeals court had previously upheld the judgment in 2024, despite Trump’s objections to testimonies allowed by the presiding judge, Lewis Kaplan. These included statements from two other women whose allegations Trump also denied. The appeals court found no abuse of discretion in Kaplan’s rulings.
Potential Political and Legal Implications
The outcome of this appeal could have significant ramifications for Trump and his political standing. Trump’s team and supporters view the ongoing legal battles as attempts to undermine his presidency and future political aspirations.
This appeal is part of a series of efforts by Trump to overturn judgments related to Carroll’s accusations, including a separate $83 million defamation judgment.
While Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, has declined to comment on the recent appeal, the legal community and political analysts are closely monitoring how the Supreme Court will respond. The decision could influence ongoing debates around due process and the role of the judiciary in politically charged cases.
