Former US President Donald Trump has asked the Supreme Court to overturn the civil verdict that found him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, escalating a years-long legal battle that has defined much of his post-presidency.

Trump’s lawyers filed the petition late Monday, arguing that the $83.3 million judgment handed down earlier this year was “legally unsound” and “politically motivated.” The filing claims that the allegations were “implausible, uncorroborated, and constitutionally protected speech under the First Amendment.”

The Supreme Court appeal marks Trump’s final avenue to challenge the ruling, which was upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in August.

“The President categorically denies these allegations and continues to maintain his complete innocence,” the petition states. “The verdict represents a dangerous precedent where protected political expression is criminalized.”

A Case That Defined an Era

Carroll, a former Elle columnist, accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. A Manhattan jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, but not rape, and awarded Carroll $5 million in damages in 2023. A second trial in 2024 — centered solely on defamatory remarks Trump made while in office — raised the total damages to $83.3 million.

Trump has consistently denied all allegations, calling Carroll’s claims a “hoax” and a “witch hunt.” His legal team now argues that his comments were made as part of his duties as president, and thus should be shielded by presidential immunity.

Carroll’s attorneys have called the Supreme Court appeal “another delay tactic,” noting that multiple courts have already rejected similar arguments.

“Every judge to review the case has found that the facts and the law were against Mr. Trump,” said Carroll’s lawyer Roberta Kaplan. “This is about accountability, not politics.”

What Happens Next

The Supreme Court will first decide whether to hear the case, a process that could take several weeks. If the Court grants certiorari, the hearing could become one of the most politically charged of the 2025–2026 term.

Legal analysts say the odds of the Court taking up the case are slim, but not impossible, especially given Trump’s ongoing campaign for re-election.

“If the justices do hear this, it won’t just be about Trump — it’ll be about the limits of presidential speech,” said Neal Katyal, former acting U.S. Solicitor General. “It’s an institutional question cloaked in political drama.”

A Supreme Court review could also delay enforcement of the damages, temporarily relieving pressure on Trump’s financial and political operations as he juggles multiple lawsuits, including New York’s civil fraud case and federal election interference charges.

Broader Political Fallout

The appeal lands as Trump continues to position himself as a victim of legal persecution. His campaign has used the Carroll verdict to rally supporters and raise funds, arguing that “the system is weaponized against conservatives.”

The renewed legal spotlight, however, risks reigniting public debate over the allegations just as Trump prepares for another presidential debate later this month.

Carroll, meanwhile, has said she hopes her case will encourage other survivors to come forward.

“This was never about money,” she told NBC News earlier this year. “It was about telling the truth — and proving that no one, not even a president, is above the law.”