The Supreme Court has declined former President Donald Trump’s request to revisit its previous decision against hearing a civil suit brought by journalist E. Jean Carroll, which resulted in a $5 million verdict against Trump. This decision was announced as part of the court’s second summer order list. The court followed its usual practice of not providing an explanation for the denial of Trump’s petition for rehearing in Trump v. Carroll. The practice remains consistent as the last time such a petition was granted was in 2018, according to law professor Steve Vladeck (historical context).
E. Jean Carroll filed the lawsuit in 2022, asserting that Trump had sexually assaulted her in a New York department store in 1996, followed by defamation in 2022 after she publicly shared her accusations. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit upheld the jury’s verdict. Trump’s legal team argued in a November 2025 petition that the introduction of testimony from other women and the 2005 “Access Hollywood” tape was improper, though Carroll contended that her case’s strength overshadowed any potential impropriety.
The justices initially scheduled to consider Trump’s petition at their February 2026 conference but postponed it until June 25, culminating in a decision to deny it. On July 8, Trump sought reconsideration, claiming that statements made by Carroll’s lawyers at his trial should be considered official acts, a matter pending before the court in a case with an $83 million award against Trump (detailed petition).
On another note, the justices also denied a request from Verizon Communications to modify a ruling related to FCC’s process for imposing sanctions. The Supreme Court’s decision had reversed a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit in favor of AT&T, bringing it into alignment with FCC’s stance, while Verizon had appealed for a return to appellate court for reconsideration. Ultimately, the court issued a brief, unexplained order denying Verizon’s request.
The third and final summer order list is scheduled for release on September 4. Further details on the recent orders are available at SCOTUSblog.