Trump Seeks Stay Of $83 Million Carroll Judgment Pending Supreme Court Bid
On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, former President Donald Trump's lawyers filed a 24-page motion in the Second Circuit seeking a stay of the $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll judgment while he presses a possible appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. (foxnews.com)
The motion says Carroll does not oppose a stay if Trump increases the bond by roughly $7.46 million to cover post-judgment interest. The filing notes Trump already posted a $91.63 million bond in March 2024 and says he plans to petition the Supreme Court, arguing presidential immunity and the Westfall Act bar personal liability for the statements at issue. (foxnews.com)
The episode traces back to June 2019, when writer E. Jean Carroll accused Trump of assaulting her and he publicly denied the claim, prompting a November 2019 defamation suit. A separate 2022 suit under New York's Adult Survivors Act produced a May 2023 federal jury award of $5 million, and a January 2024 jury later awarded Carroll $83.3 million after a September 2023 finding that Trump was liable for defamation. Trump appealed, a Second Circuit panel upheld the verdict in September 2025, and the full court on April 29, 2026, denied rehearing en banc in a split decision that included three dissenting judges. (foxnews.com)
Trump's motion points to the three-judge dissent as evidence of legal error and says there is a fair prospect the Supreme Court will take the case. Historically, the Supreme Court has granted certiorari in roughly 4-5% of paid petitions annually (average 2019-2022), making a decision to hear the immunity questions uncertain but potentially decisive for whether Carroll's judgment must be paid now or after any high-court review.
The legal landscape surrounding Trump's appeal is complicated by a recent Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. United States, which established that former presidents have absolute immunity for actions within their constitutional powers. This precedent could significantly influence the Court's decision on whether to hear Trump's case regarding the E. Jean Carroll judgment, particularly as about 4-5% of petitions are typically granted. The implications of this case extend beyond Trump himself, reflecting broader concerns about the politicization of the judiciary, as highlighted by Andrew Stone's 2021 dissertation, which argues that elite discussions have shaped public perceptions and increased partisan views of judicial decisions.
Social media reactions reveal a split in public sentiment. While some commentators, like @joshgerstein, emphasize the procedural aspects of Trump's motion and Carroll's non-opposition to the stay, others, such as @namwella1961, frame the request as a strategic delay in accountability. This divergence illustrates the ongoing tension in American politics surrounding judicial processes and the trust in institutions, a sentiment echoed in a 2024 Annenberg survey that noted declining trust in the Supreme Court amid increasing political partisanship.
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📊 Relevant Data
Trump posted a $91.63 million bond in March 2024 to cover the $83.3 million judgment while appealing it, which the current motion seeks to increase by $7.46 million for post-judgment interest. ([Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/08/trump-carroll-verdict-appeal-bond-00146060)) ([Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/08/trump-carroll-verdict-appeal-bond-00146060))
Trump gets $91.6 million bond while he appeals verdict in E. Jean Carroll defamation case — Politico
The $83.3 million judgment was awarded in January 2024 in the second defamation trial, following a September 2023 summary judgment finding Trump liable for his 2019 statements denying Carroll's allegations. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._Jean_Carroll_v._Donald_J._Trump)) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._Jean_Carroll_v._Donald_J._Trump))
E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump — Wikipedia
In the July 2024 Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. United States, the Court held that former presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within their core constitutional powers and presumptive immunity for other official acts. ([U.S. Supreme Court](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf)) ([U.S. Supreme Court](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf))
23-939 Trump v. United States (07/01/2024) — U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court grants certiorari in approximately 4-5% of paid petitions annually. ([Legalytics Substack](https://legalytics.substack.com/p/predicting-supreme-court-certiorari)) ([Legalytics Substack](https://legalytics.substack.com/p/predicting-supreme-court-certiorari))
Predicting Supreme Court Certiorari Grants: A Data-Driven Approach — Legalytics Substack
📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Trump's lawyers filed a 24-page motion in the Second Circuit seeking a stay of the $83.3 million E. Jean Carroll judgment.
- The motion says Carroll does not oppose a stay if Trump increases the bond by roughly $7.46 million to cover post-judgment interest.
- Trump plans to petition the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing presidential immunity and the Westfall Act shield him from personal liability for the 2019-era statements at issue.
- The motion cites a three-judge dissent from denial of rehearing en banc as evidence of legal error and contends there is a fair prospect the Supreme Court will reverse.
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