Former President Donald Trump and the U.S. Department of Justice have petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn an $83 million defamation verdict awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll. The central argument claims Trump should be immune from liability for statements he made while serving as president, under the Westfall Act, which protects federal officials from being sued for actions taken within the scope of their official duties. This marks Trump's second attempt to challenge defamation damages awarded to Carroll, following a previous $5 million jury award in a separate trial, which the Supreme Court declined to review.
Carroll had accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in 1996 and sued him for defamation after he publicly denied the allegations, saying she fabricated them to promote a book. Trump dismissed knowing Carroll, claimed "she's not my type," and has consistently denied the allegations. The appeals court has deferred payment of the $83 million pending the Supreme Court's decision. Trump's legal team described the damages as excessive and called the case legally unprecedented, as it's the first time a president has faced such liability for conduct while in office. Carroll has testified twice, and her legal team has declined to comment on the recent filing.