E. Jean Carroll Wins $5.6 Million in Legal Battle Against Trump

E. Jean Carroll recently spoke out after receiving over $5.6 million due to a civil verdict where Donald Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation. Court documents revealed that Carroll’s legal team was initially paid $5,625,005.48, encompassing the original $5 million plus interest, before transferring it to Carroll.

In a Substack post entitled The Eagle Has Landed, Carroll announced the arrival of the funds. She expressed gratitude to her lawyers for their representation during the lengthy legal process. Carroll also directed a remark at Alina Habba, an attorney for Trump who was prominent during the case.

“And… a special, special thanks to Alina Habba Esq.! I could not have done it without you,”

Carroll’s comment was seen as a playful jab at Habba, who was a key figure in Trump’s defense during her civil lawsuits. Trump’s attempts to appeal the verdicts were unsuccessful, solidifying the 2023 jury decision in Carroll’s favor. Newsweek reached out to Carroll and Habba for comments.

Who Is E. Jean Carroll?

Carroll is a journalist, author, and former advice columnist for Elle. She accused Trump of sexually assaulting her during the mid-1990s at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan. Trump denied knowing Carroll and refuted the allegations. Her public accusation in 2019 led to a protracted legal battle with multiple civil trials, culminating in two favorable jury verdicts for Carroll against Trump.

What Was the E. Jean Carroll Case?

The legal dispute included claims of sexual abuse and defamation. In May 2023, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation after Carroll’s public accusation. She was awarded $5 million in damages. Although found liable for sexual abuse, Trump was not found guilty of rape under New York law.

A separate defamation case concluded in January 2024, with a jury awarding Carroll $83.3 million. The verdict indicated Trump continued defaming Carroll while denying her accusations, increasing his financial burden. Trump’s appeals against these verdicts were consistently rejected by the courts.

Why Did Carroll Receive the $5.6 Million?

This payment pertains to the 2023 jury verdict that awarded Carroll $5 million. Due to interest accrued during the appeals, the final amount became $5,625,005.48. The Supreme Court and lower courts upheld the verdict, resulting in the payment.

“The Eagle has landed,” Carroll noted when announcing the receipt of the funds.

Her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, mentioned that this represented the result of persistent efforts to enforce the jury’s decision.

“Three years ago, a unanimous jury found President Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming E. Jean Carroll,” Kaplan emphasized. “Today, we report she received the damages in accordance with that verdict.”

Who Is Alina Habba?

Alina Habba is a lawyer from New Jersey who became a high-profile figure on Trump’s legal team. She served as his representative in Carroll’s suits and numerous other distinguished cases, hence becoming a recognizable face in Trump’s defense campaigns. Habba was interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey until 2025.

Carroll’s mention of Habba in The Eagle Has Landed seemed to humorously highlight Habba’s involvement in the cases won by Carroll.