A federal appeals court temporarily blocked President Trump’s $83 million defamation payment to writer E. Jean Carroll, setting up a Supreme Court showdown over the controversial verdict. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued the stay Monday, requiring Trump to post additional bond money totaling nearly $100 million while the case potentially heads to the nation’s highest court.

The Carroll Defamation Cases

Carroll alleged in 2019 that Trump assaulted her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room during the 1990s, though she could not specify the date or year. A Manhattan jury in May 2023 awarded her $5 million, finding Trump liable for sexual abuse but not rape. In a separate January 2024 defamation trial over Trump’s public statements denying the allegations, a jury ordered him to pay $83.3 million in damages. Trump has consistently denied Carroll’s accusations and maintains his innocence throughout the legal proceedings.

Court Decision and Financial Requirements

The appeals court granted Trump’s request to pause enforcement of the judgment on one condition. He must increase his bond by $7.46 million to cover interest accumulating during extended Supreme Court proceedings. This brings his total bonded amount to approximately $91 million, according to Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan. The Second Circuit previously denied Trump’s attempt to challenge the award before the full appeals court, prompting his team to prepare a Supreme Court petition.

Constitutional Questions Remain

Trump’s legal team argues he deserves immunity for statements made while serving as president in 2019. Lower courts rejected this immunity claim, but Trump’s attorneys believe the Supreme Court may view the constitutional questions differently. The stay remains in effect until the Supreme Court either agrees to review the case or declines to hear it. Carroll’s legal team expressed satisfaction with the bond requirement, ensuring the judgment remains secured regardless of how long appeals continue through the federal court system.

What Happens Next

The case now awaits Trump’s formal petition to the Supreme Court. Legal experts expect his attorneys to file within weeks, arguing presidential immunity and First Amendment protections. If the Supreme Court accepts the case, oral arguments would likely occur in the 2026-2027 term, with a final decision potentially taking months. If the Court declines to hear the appeal, the $83 million judgment becomes enforceable immediately, though Trump could still pursue other legal avenues to challenge the unprecedented verdict against a former president.