The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear former President Donald Trump's appeal in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, upholding a jury's finding that Trump sexually abused and defamed the writer. The decision means the $5 million verdict, awarded to Carroll in May 2023, will stand.

Trump had sought to overturn the verdict, arguing that Carroll's claims were not credible and that the jury's award was excessive. His legal team also contended that the trial court had made errors in its instructions to the jury. The Supreme Court's refusal to grant a writ of certiorari means the case will not be reviewed by the nation's highest court, leaving the lower court's ruling in place.

Carroll, a former columnist for Elle magazine, first accused Trump in 2019 of sexually assaulting her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. She later sued Trump for defamation after he repeatedly denied the allegations, calling her a liar and claiming he had never met her. A separate jury in January 2024 found Trump liable for battery and defamation in a second trial concerning damages, awarding Carroll an additional $83.3 million.

The Supreme Court's action effectively closes the door on Trump's attempt to challenge the initial $5 million judgment. The legal battle has been ongoing for years, highlighting complex issues of defamation law, sexual assault allegations against public figures, and the appeals process.

Trump's legal team had argued that the original verdict was based on flawed legal reasoning and that the amount awarded was punitive. They sought to have the case re-examined by the Supreme Court, hoping to gain a reversal or at least a new trial. However, the justices' decision not to take up the case signals their agreement with the findings of the lower courts.

E. Jean Carroll's legal team expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court's decision. They have maintained that the verdict was a victory for truth and accountability. The legal proceedings have drawn significant public attention, particularly given Trump's status as a former president and his ongoing presidential campaign.

This latest development in the E. Jean Carroll litigation adds to the ongoing legal challenges faced by Donald Trump. The former president has been involved in numerous civil and criminal cases across the country. The outcomes of these cases are closely watched, both domestically and internationally, as they unfold.

With the Supreme Court's refusal to intervene, the focus now shifts to the enforcement of the $5 million judgment and the continued appeals process for the larger $83.3 million award from the second trial. The legal saga involving E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump is far from over, with further legal maneuvers anticipated.