Trump Appeals $83M Defamation Judgment in E. Jean Carroll Case

President Donald Trump is appealing an $83.3 million defamation judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll after a 2024 verdict found that Trump made false statements damaging her reputation following her rape accusation. Trump's legal team argues that he should be immune from the lawsuit based on a 2024 Supreme Court ruling granting presidents broad immunity for official actions, claiming his statements were made in response to public interest inquiries through the White House press office. However, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals panel, including judges appointed by Obama and Biden, expressed skepticism about applying that immunity here, noting previous rulings that Trump waived such immunity. Trump's attorney insists the immunity is not waivable and cites the Supreme Court decision as an intervening development that warrants reconsideration. The court also rejected Trump's attempts to delay oral arguments and to substitute the Department of Justice as the defendant. The case continues to draw scrutiny over the limits of presidential immunity in civil litigation related to actions taken during a president's term.