A federal judge has ordered the release of approximately $5.8 million, including accrued interest, from a court escrow account to writer E. Jean Carroll following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to review President Donald Trump’s appeal in one of their long-running civil legal disputes.
The latest ruling marks another significant chapter in a case that has moved through multiple levels of the federal court system. While Trump’s legal team continues pursuing additional legal options, the payment authorized by the court is expected to move forward under the terms of a previous agreement between the parties.
Judge’s Order
On July 8, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan authorized the release of the escrowed funds after determining that the legal conditions for payment had been satisfied.
The decision came shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal of the underlying civil judgment. Because the nation’s highest court chose not to review the case, the district court ruled that the money held in escrow should now be released to Carroll.
The payment includes both the original judgment amount and interest that accumulated while the appeals process continued.
Amount Explained
The total payment is approximately $5.8 million.
According to court filings, the original jury award of $5 million increased through accrued interest, adding nearly $780,000 during the lengthy appeals process.
Because the funds had already been placed into a court-controlled escrow account, the judge’s latest order focuses on releasing money that had previously been secured rather than requiring a new payment.
Supreme Court Decision
The ruling followed the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant Trump’s request for further review.
When the Court declines to hear an appeal, the lower court’s judgment generally remains in effect. In this instance, that decision allowed the district court to proceed with implementing the existing judgment.
Although the Supreme Court declined review, Trump’s legal team has continued seeking additional relief through a petition asking the Court to reconsider its earlier decision.
Background
The legal dispute began after Carroll filed a civil lawsuit against Trump in 2022.
In 2023, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll during an encounter in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the 1990s and for defaming her through later public statements. Trump has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations and has maintained that the jury’s verdict was incorrect.
The case has remained the subject of extensive appeals and legal motions since the verdict.
Escrow Agreement
A key factor in the latest ruling was an agreement reached by both sides during the appeals process.
Court filings indicated that the parties had previously agreed the escrowed funds could be released if the Supreme Court declined to hear the appeal.
Carroll’s attorneys argued that this agreement left no legal basis for further delaying payment once the Supreme Court announced its decision.
Judge Kaplan ultimately agreed with that position.
Trump’s Argument
Trump’s attorneys asked the court to postpone releasing the money while they pursued a rehearing request before the Supreme Court.
According to the defense, immediate payment could create irreversible financial consequences because Carroll has publicly indicated she intends to donate the money after receiving it.
The legal team argued that recovering the funds would become difficult if the judgment were later overturned and the money had already been distributed to third parties.
Based on those concerns, they requested that the court maintain the existing status until the rehearing request is resolved.
Carroll’s Response
Carroll’s legal team opposed any additional delay.
Attorney Roberta Kaplan argued that the case had already gone through years of litigation and multiple levels of appellate review. She maintained that the agreed-upon conditions for releasing the escrow funds had now been fully satisfied.
Her filings stated that the legal process had reached its conclusion unless future courts ruled otherwise.
The judge ultimately rejected the request for another postponement.
Separate Appeal
Although the current payment order relates to one civil judgment, additional legal proceedings between Trump and Carroll remain active.
Trump’s attorneys have argued that another appeal involving a separate defamation judgment raises overlapping legal questions concerning presidential immunity and evidentiary issues.
The defense contends those questions justify additional review by the Supreme Court.
Those matters remain separate from Judge Kaplan’s order releasing the escrowed funds in this case.
Political Reaction
The ruling quickly drew political attention.
A spokesperson for Trump’s legal team criticized the outcome and described the litigation as politically motivated. Trump also reiterated on social media that he intends to continue challenging the legal findings through every available legal avenue.
Meanwhile, Carroll’s legal team characterized the latest decision as the expected conclusion of the appeals process for this particular judgment.
The differing reactions highlight how closely the litigation continues to be followed nationwide.
What Happens Next?
With Judge Kaplan’s order in place, the escrowed funds are expected to be released unless another court intervenes.
At the same time, Trump’s attorneys continue pursuing additional legal filings related to rehearing requests and separate appellate proceedings.
Legal experts note that while payment of a judgment may proceed, related litigation involving different cases or legal issues can continue independently through the court system.
Final Update
A federal judge has ordered the release of approximately $5.8 million, including accrued interest, from a court escrow account to E. Jean Carroll after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear President Donald Trump’s appeal of a 2023 civil jury verdict. The ruling rejected Trump’s request to delay payment while seeking reconsideration from the Supreme Court. Although the payment process is now moving forward, Trump’s legal team continues pursuing additional legal remedies in related proceedings, meaning the broader legal dispute between the two parties is not yet fully concluded.