The legal saga between E Jean Carroll and Donald Trump has taken a new turn. After a US appeals court rejected Trump's bid to overturn the $5m verdict for sexual abuse and defamation, Carroll's legal team are now demanding payment. British legal experts have been closely monitoring the case, noting its implications for transatlantic defamation law.
The ruling, which upheld a jury's decision from May, marks a significant blow to the former president. His lawyers had argued the trial was unfair, citing judicial bias. But the appeals court was having none of it.
The clock is now ticking for Trump to pay up. Sources close to Carroll say she is prepared to pursue asset seizure if necessary. This is a man who has repeatedly used the courts to delay and distract.
But here, the game is up. The British legal establishment is watching with fascination. Our system is different: losers pay costs, and appeals are less generous.
But the principle stands. If you defame someone, you pay. Trump's political future may hinge on how this plays out.
His base will see it as another witch hunt. Independents might see a man who cannot escape his past. Either way, Carroll has won a clear victory.
The question now is enforcement. Trump's wealth is opaque, but his properties are visible. A lien on Trump Tower would be a headline.
The case is a reminder that no one is above the law, not even a former president. British lawyers will be studying the judgment for lessons. The definition of 'actual malice' in US law is notoriously tricky.
This case clarifies it. For now, Carroll waits. And Trump's checkbook remains firmly shut.
