In a recent development, a US federal appeals court has turned down former President Donald Trump’s attempt to postpone the disbursement of $5.8 million owed to writer E. Jean Carroll. This sum is a result of Carroll’s victory in a 2023 lawsuit against Trump over sexual abuse and defamation charges.
This ruling follows Trump’s challenge to a prior lower court decision, which had ordered the release of the funds that were kept in a court-controlled account throughout the appeals process. The $5.8 million includes the original $5 million judgment along with interest that has accumulated.
The court’s decision comes on the heels of the US Supreme Court’s recent refusal to entertain Trump’s appeal, thereby upholding the original judgment. Judge Lewis Kaplan emphasized that the legal avenues had been fully explored and concluded, and it was now necessary for the judgment to be fulfilled.
Despite the court’s directive, Trump maintains his denial of all accusations and persists in disputing the legal framework related to the agreement on the release of these funds. The case has been closely watched as it represents a significant legal challenge against the former president.