Former President Donald Trump has agreed to pay $15 million to settle the defamation lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll, according to court documents filed on Wednesday. The settlement brings an end to a protracted legal battle that began in 2019 when Carroll accused Trump of raping her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s.
Details of the Settlement
The settlement agreement, filed in federal court in New York, stipulates that Trump will pay $15 million to Carroll within 30 days. In exchange, Carroll will drop all claims against Trump, including the defamation suit and a separate battery claim. The agreement also includes a mutual release of liability, meaning neither party can sue the other over the allegations in the future.
According to a statement from Carroll's legal team, the settlement is not an admission of guilt by Trump. “This settlement is a resolution of a legal dispute, not an acknowledgment of wrongdoing,” the statement said. Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, echoed that sentiment, saying, “President Trump has agreed to settle this matter to avoid the continued distraction of litigation, but he maintains his innocence.”
Background of the Case
Carroll first publicly accused Trump of rape in a 2019 memoir, prompting Trump to deny the allegations and claim he had never met Carroll. In response, Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit, arguing that Trump’s denials were false and damaged her reputation. A second lawsuit for battery was filed under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which allowed victims of sexual assault to file claims after the statute of limitations had expired.
In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation in the battery case, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. Trump appealed that verdict. The defamation case, which focused on Trump’s statements in 2019, was scheduled for trial in January 2024.
Impact and Reactions
The settlement marks a significant moment in the ongoing legal challenges facing Trump, who has been embroiled in multiple civil and criminal cases. Legal experts note that the $15 million payout, combined with the earlier $5 million judgment, brings the total cost to Trump to $20 million for the Carroll cases.
Carroll expressed relief at the resolution. “I am grateful to finally put this behind me,” she said in a statement. “This has been a long and difficult journey, but I am proud that my voice was heard.” Trump, meanwhile, took to his social media platform to criticize the settlement, calling it a “shakedown” and vowing to continue fighting what he described as a “witch hunt.”
Broader Context
The settlement comes as Trump faces other legal battles, including criminal indictments in New York, Florida, and Washington, D.C. The Carroll case, however, has been one of the most high-profile civil suits against him, drawing attention to allegations of sexual misconduct that have followed him for decades.
As part of the agreement, both parties have agreed to keep the terms confidential, though the amount has been disclosed in court filings. The case is now closed, pending the formal dismissal of the lawsuits.
