05/24/2026
Trump’s legal troubles have taken another major hit after a federal appeals court refused to reopen his challenge against the massive $83 million defamation verdict awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll.
On April 29, 2026, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 5–3 against rehearing Trump’s appeal, leaving the judgment fully in place for now. The case centers on Carroll’s long-standing allegation that Trump sexually assaulted her inside a Manhattan department store dressing room during the 1990s — claims Trump has consistently denied.
The legal battle has already resulted in two major jury verdicts. In 2023, a jury found Trump civilly liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. Then, in 2024, a second jury ordered Trump to pay an additional $83 million after concluding that his repeated public attacks on Carroll damaged her reputation even further.
Trump’s legal team argued that some of his statements should be protected under presidential immunity because they were made while serving in office. However, the appeals court majority rejected that position, saying the argument had not been properly preserved during earlier stages of the case.
Despite the ruling, several dissenting judges warned that the dispute raises serious constitutional questions about the limits of presidential immunity and whether the full court should have reconsidered the issue.
Trump could still appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, meaning the legal fight may not be over yet. But for now, the $83 million judgment remains standing — marking another significant legal setback for the former president as multiple legal battles continue to follow him into the 2026 political landscape.
