The Daily Fuckup

Donald Trump’s lawyers asked a federal judge on Feb. 23, 2024, to delay enforcement of the $83.3 million defamation judgment entered against him in E. Jean Carroll’s case. The request asked U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to hold off on execution of the judgment while Trump pursued post-trial motions and, later, an appeal.

The underlying award came after a January jury trial focused on damages. Carroll had already won on liability in an earlier proceeding, and the second jury was told to decide how much money Trump should pay for the statements he made attacking her. Jurors set compensatory damages at $18.3 million and punitive damages at $65 million, for a total of $83.3 million.

In the filing, Trump’s lawyers argued the amount could be reduced or set aside on review and asked the court to pause collection efforts in the meantime. Carroll’s lawyers opposed the request. On March 5, 2024, Kaplan denied relief, leaving the judgment in place unless a higher court changes it.

The fight was no longer about whether Trump was liable. It was about whether Carroll could collect now, or whether Trump could slow the clock while his post-trial challenges worked through the courts.