Fact Check: Trump's Challenge to $5 Million Civil Judgment Denied by 2nd Circuit
What We Know
On June 13, 2025, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to rehear President Donald Trump's appeal regarding a $5 million civil judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll. This judgment stems from a civil lawsuit in which Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s and subsequently defaming her through comments made on social media in 2022. The appeals court's decision was made with an 8-2 vote, rejecting Trump's petition for a full rehearing of the case (AP News, Reuters).
The jury found Trump liable for both sexual assault and defamation, and Carroll's legal team expressed satisfaction with the court's decision, emphasizing that Trump's attempts to overturn the verdict have consistently failed (BBC). Trump's legal representatives, however, argued that the trial was flawed due to evidentiary rulings and expressed concerns about the fairness of the proceedings (Reuters).
Analysis
The 2nd Circuit's refusal to reconsider the ruling is significant as it reinforces the jury's findings from the original trial. The dissent from the two Trump-appointed judges highlighted concerns about the trial's evidentiary rulings, suggesting that they believed the trial did not adhere to standard legal practices (AP News, BBC). However, the majority opinion from the other judges emphasized that simply re-litigating the case was not justified, indicating confidence in the original jury's decision (AP News).
The credibility of the sources reporting on this case is high, as they include established news organizations like the Associated Press, BBC, and Reuters, which are known for their rigorous journalistic standards. The dissenting opinion from Trump-appointed judges adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, but it does not undermine the overall ruling of the court.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump's challenge to $5 million civil judgment denied by 2nd Circuit" is True. The 2nd Circuit Court's decision to reject Trump's appeal confirms that he remains liable for the damages awarded to E. Jean Carroll, stemming from the jury's findings of sexual assault and defamation. The court's ruling underscores the legal system's stance on the matter, despite Trump's ongoing efforts to contest the verdict.
