Donald Trump seeks court order to reclaim $5.6 million paid to E. Jean Carroll

A federal jury found former President Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation of columnist E. Jean Carroll, awarding her $5 million. Interest accrued while Trump pursued appeals, raising the total to about $5.6 million, which was released from a court‑controlled escrow account on July 9.

Trump’s lawyers have filed an emergency injunction in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, asking the court to force Carroll to return the payment while they seek a rehearing by the Supreme Court. They argue the disbursement was "premature and improper" and that the money should remain in escrow pending further review.

Carroll’s attorneys contend the request is "procedurally improper, substantively meritless" and that the judgment is final. They cite Judge Lewis Kaplan’s remark that "Defendant has been stalling this case for years" and emphasize that the funds have already been lawfully disbursed. The Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal on June 29, leaving the judgment intact.

The litigation continues as both sides pursue further legal arguments over the $5.6 million escrow payment.