The Supreme Court declined Monday to take up President Trump’s appeal in a defamation dispute with former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll.
Without comment, the justices refused to hear Mr. Trump’s appeal of a $5 million dollar defamation ruling in favor of Ms. Carroll, who accused the president of sexual assault during the 1990s during his first term in office.
“Carroll waited more than 20 years to falsely accuse Donald Trump, who she politically opposes, until after he became the 45th President, when she could maximize political injury to him and profit for herself,” read a petition from Mr. Trump’s lawyer.
Mr. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has said the case was politically motivated.
The court’s decision not to hear the president’s appeal leaves the $5 million judgment in place.
Ms. Carroll launched two defamation cases against Mr. Trump after he denied her allegations that he had sexually abused her in a dressing room in a New York City department store.
The first jury ruled Mr. Trump had sexually abused Ms. Carroll and defamed her, awarding her $5 million in damages.
The second jury also sided with Ms. Carroll, awarding her an additional $83.3 million in damages.
According to reports earlier this month, the Department of Justice is planning to ask the Supreme Court to allow it to defend Mr. Trump in his appeal of the $83.3 million judgment.
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