Another legal storm has hit President Trump as a federal appeals court just slammed the door on the Justice Department’s bid to take the heat off him in a hefty defamation lawsuit.
The Hill reported that the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Trump must personally face an $83.3 million judgment awarded to advice columnist E. Jean Carroll for defamation, rejecting the government’s attempt to step in as defendant.
Let’s rewind a bit to set the stage. Carroll first made waves during Trump’s initial presidency with allegations of a sexual assault in a Manhattan department store dressing room back in the mid-1990s. Trump has steadfastly denied these claims, but the legal battles have piled up like unread emails.
In the first round of this courtroom saga, a jury found Trump liable for the assault and for defaming Carroll by dismissing her story, hitting him with a $5 million penalty. That verdict was just upheld last week by the full 2nd Circuit bench, despite Trump’s vigorous appeal. It’s a bitter pill for a man who’s built a brand on winning.
Fast forward to the second trial, where Carroll secured an even bigger win last year—a staggering $83.3 million award over additional denials by Trump that the jury deemed defamatory. That’s the kind of number that makes even billionaires sweat. And now, the latest ruling ensures Trump can’t pass this bill to Uncle Sam.
The Justice Department tried to invoke the Westfall Act of 1988, arguing that Trump’s 2019 written statement and White House South Lawn remarks denying Carroll’s claims were part of his presidential duties. Nice try, but the three-judge panel—made up of Judges Denny Chin, Sarah Merriam, and Maria Araújo Kahn—said no dice in a brief one-page order. They’ve promised a fuller explanation later, but for now, Trump’s on the hook.
“The Court will issue an opinion detailing its reasoning in due course,” the 2nd Circuit’s order teased. Well, that’s a polite way to say, “Stay tuned while we sharpen our pencils.” Meanwhile, conservatives might wonder if this court is just playing keep-away with justice for a president under siege.
This isn’t the first time the Justice Department has tried to shield Trump. During his first term, they pushed to intervene early in Carroll’s lawsuit, dragging pretrial proceedings out for years before the Biden administration backed off in 2023. Now, with Trump back in the Oval Office, they’ve revived the effort—only to get swatted down again.
Trump’s legal team isn’t taking this lying down, vowing to escalate the fight to the Supreme Court over both jury awards. A spokesperson for the team declared, “The American People are supporting President Trump in historic numbers.” But let’s be real—public support doesn’t pay legal bills, and this latest ruling stings.
The same spokesperson also claimed this is all part of a “political weaponization of our justice system” and demanded a “swift dismissal of all Witch Hunts.” It’s a fiery soundbite, but when you’re staring down millions in damages, rhetoric alone won’t cut it. Many on the right see this as another example of lawfare against a leader who challenges the establishment.
Wednesday’s decision at the 2nd Circuit is just the latest in a string of setbacks for Trump at this particular court. He’s appealed both the $5 million and $83.3 million awards here, and so far, the judges aren’t budging. It’s almost as if this court has become his legal kryptonite.
Next up, the same three-judge panel will hear oral arguments on Tuesday regarding Trump’s appeal of the $83.3 million verdict itself. That’s another chance for Trump to turn the tide, but given the track record, optimism might be in short supply. Still, his base remains hopeful for a comeback.
Let’s not forget the human element in this tangled mess. Carroll, a longtime advice columnist, has endured years of public scrutiny to pursue these claims, while Trump faces relentless legal pressure on multiple fronts. Both sides deserve a fair shake, even if the progressive agenda often seems to tip the scales in media coverage.
For conservatives, this ruling raises bigger questions about whether the judiciary is overreaching to target a president who dares to defy the cultural elite. Why should taxpayers foot the bill for personal disputes? Yet, the court’s stance is clear—Trump’s words, even as president, don’t automatically get a government shield.
As this legal drama unfolds, one thing is certain: Trump’s fight is far from over. With the Supreme Court potentially on the horizon and another appeal hearing looming, the nation watches a battle that’s as much about principle as it is about dollars. For now, though, the 2nd Circuit has dealt a tough blow to a president who’s no stranger to fighting uphill battles.