Shortly afterwards, the president stated he will “continue the fight” against the ruling, despite the Supreme Court being the highest jurisdiction capable of overturning the conviction.
“I will continue the fight against this Weaponization and Lawfare Case against me, including the ridiculous claim of Defamation, with all of my power and strength,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“This Case is really against the United States of America, and all it stands for, and should never be allowed to happen to another President, or Candidate to be!”
In 2019, Carroll publicly accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in New York in the mid-1990s. Trump has denied the allegation, calling it a hoax. Carroll later filed civil suits alleging harm to her reputation and dignity.
In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation and awarded Carroll $5 million. A separate jury later ordered him to pay an additional $83.3 million after repeated disparaging posts by Trump on social media.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit allowed Trump
to delay payment of the $83.3 million while the Supreme Court considered the
case, provided he post a $7.4 million bond to cover interest.