Lawyers for Donald Trump have requested additional time to pay a $5 million civil judgment awarded to magazine columnist E Jean Carroll, days after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal. The payout, which now totals nearly $5.8 million with interest, stems from a jury finding that Trump sexually abused Carroll in 1996 and defamed her in 2019 when she publicly described the attack.
Trump's legal team cites transition in counsel
In a new filing, Trump's attorney Josh Halpern argued that the transition in lead counsel necessitated more time. Former lead counsel Justin Smith took up a position as a federal judge last month, a post to which Trump nominated him. Halpern stated he needed additional time "to become completely familiar with the facts and procedural circumstances" of the case. The request seeks to extend the deadline for a response to Carroll's payment demand to July 14.
Carroll's attorney calls it a delay tactic
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's attorney, countered that the request "appears to be little more than yet another play for time." She noted that Smith was nominated to the court of appeals over five months ago, and Trump "has had ample time to retain new counsel" and "should have been acting diligently to do that since at least February." Trump deposited money in an escrow fund to cover the award but is attempting to delay its release.
Background and ongoing legal battles
Trump has consistently denied Carroll's allegations, labeling them politically and financially motivated. After the Supreme Court's rejection of his appeal became known last week, Trump vowed to keep fighting what he called a "Weaponization and Lawfare Case." His attorneys soon contacted Carroll's lawyer, asking for a delay while the Supreme Court was asked to reconsider its decision.
Potential next steps
Kaplan's filing hinted at Carroll's counsel's belief about Trump's next legal maneuver. She wrote that Trump "has made clear" he plans to appeal a second defamation judgment of $83 million in favor of Carroll to the Supreme Court and seek a rehearing on the first. "We can only assume that Defendant is seeking … to buy time so he can try to concoct some new basis to put off paying Plaintiff presumably in connection with his forthcoming petition and motion for a rehearing," Kaplan added.
Under another scenario, Trump could file an appeal joining the two awards, with the second raising questions of presidential immunity since it relates to statements he made about Carroll during his first term. Days before leaving his role as Trump's lawyer to become a judge, Smith wrote to the Supreme Court last month that Trump intended to appeal the second case within the next month, suggesting the court might wish to consider the petitions together.
