A federal appeals court temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from paying an $83 million defamation judgment to writer E. Jean Carroll this week, granting Trump’s request to delay enforcement while he pursues his case to the Supreme Court. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued the order Monday, requiring Trump to post nearly $100 million in total bonds to secure the stay.

Court Imposes Conditions on Payment Pause

The appeals court granted Trump’s motion to pause the enforcement of the $83.3 million verdict, but only after Trump agreed to increase his bond by $7.46 million to cover interest accruing during the extended legal battle. Trump already posted over $91 million earlier, bringing the total secured amount to nearly $100 million. Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan expressed satisfaction with the bond requirement, noting the substantial financial guarantee now in place.

Background on the Carroll Cases

The legal battle stems from Carroll’s 2019 allegation that Trump sexually assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room during the 1990s, though she could not specify the date or year. A Manhattan jury found in May 2023 that while Carroll did not prove rape, she proved sexual abuse occurred, awarding her $5 million in that initial verdict. The separate $83.3 million judgment in January 2024 addressed Trump’s defamatory statements about Carroll made in 2019.

What Happens Next

Trump’s legal team is expected to petition the Supreme Court to review the case, a process that could extend months into the future. The temporary stay remains in effect until the Supreme Court either agrees to hear the case or declines to take it up. Trump has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations and maintains the verdicts were unjust. The substantial bond ensures Carroll will receive payment with accumulated interest if Trump ultimately loses his appeals.