E. Jean Carroll has finally received the $5.6 million in damages she was awarded after a jury found former President Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation against her. The resolution marks a significant conclusion to a high-profile legal saga that has spanned several years.
According to reports, the funds had been held in escrow while the former president pursued appeals against the initial ruling. Following the Supreme Court’s decision to decline further review of the case, the judge overseeing the proceedings ordered the release of the payment. Court records updated on July 14, 2026, confirmed that the disbursement to Carroll was successfully completed last week.
Roberta Kaplan, legal counsel for Carroll, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “We are pleased to report that our client has received the damages payment the jury awarded her as a result of that verdict.” Representatives for the former president did not immediately provide a comment regarding the transfer of funds.
The legal conflict stems from a 2023 civil trial, which Trump did not attend, concerning Carroll’s accusation that he attacked her in a department store dressing room in 1996. The case was made possible after New York state enacted a temporary window allowing survivors of sexual abuse to file lawsuits regardless of the statute of limitations.
Carroll, now 82, initially sought damages after alleging that Trump defamed her following the publication of her 2019 memoir. The original jury verdict of $5 million has since accrued interest, leading to the final payout amount. While this specific judgment has been settled, the legal friction between the two parties continues; Trump is currently appealing a separate $83 million judgment related to a 2024 defamation trial. In that matter, the Department of Justice has reportedly urged the Supreme Court to consider the federal government as the liable party for comments made during his presidency.