If you've been following the news cycles over the last couple of years, you know the saga between E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump has been a relentless rollercoaster of verdicts, appeals, and massive numbers. The question everyone keeps asking is simple: Did E. Jean Carroll get paid yet?
Honestly, the answer is a bit more complicated than a "yes" or "no." It’s about the difference between a jury awarding money and the cash actually hitting a bank account.
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The $90 Million Question: The Current Reality
Basically, as of early 2026, Carroll hasn't actually pocketed the money to spend. But that doesn’t mean the money isn't "there."
To understand why, we have to look at the two separate piles of money. First, there was the $5 million verdict from May 2023. Then came the massive $83.3 million defamation award in early 2024. Combined with interest, we are talking about a sum north of $90 million.
Trump didn't just hand over a suitcase of cash. He did, however, have to put up a $91.6 million bond to appeal the larger judgment. This is a huge detail. It means the money is currently held by a third-party insurance company (Chubb, to be specific). It’s basically in escrow. It’s sitting in a legal "waiting room" while the court system grinds through the appeals.
Why the Delay? It’s All About the Appeals
The legal system moves like molasses. Especially when it involves a former president and high-stakes defamation law.
In September 2025, a federal appeals court in Manhattan—the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals—delivered a major blow to Trump. They upheld the $83.3 million judgment. The three-judge panel was pretty blunt. They called the damages "fair and reasonable" given what they described as Trump’s "extraordinary and unprecedented" attacks on Carroll’s character.
You might think that would be the end of it. It wasn't.
Trump’s team has continued to fight, even trying to push the case toward the Supreme Court by late 2025. They’ve argued everything from presidential immunity to the idea that the damages were "grossly excessive."
- The Immunity Defense: His lawyers claimed he was immune because he was president when he made some of the comments.
- The "Not My Type" Argument: They tried to relitigate the original claims, which judges have repeatedly blocked.
- The Math Problem: They argued $65 million in punitive damages was just way too high.
The courts haven't bought much of this. The September 2025 ruling was a 70-page smackdown. The judges noted that Carroll was subjected to "prolific harassment" and death threats because of the statements made from the White House and on social media.
Did E. Jean Carroll Get Paid from the First Trial?
The $5 million from the first trial (Carroll v. Trump II) is also tied up. Trump appealed that one too, and while he lost at the circuit level, the procedural dance continues.
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It’s worth noting that Carroll has been very public about what she intends to do with the money once she gets it. She’s mentioned using it for things Trump "hates," like supporting women's rights and journalism.
She isn't hurting for cash in the meantime, but the "payday" is more of a symbolic victory at this stage.
How the Bond Actually Works
When people ask if she got paid, they usually mean: "Does Trump still have the money?"
Technically, no. He had to secure that $91.6 million bond. To get that bond, he likely had to provide collateral—cash, stocks, or property—to the insurance company. If he loses his final appeal (likely at the Supreme Court level), the bond company will pay Carroll directly.
Trump can't just change his mind and take the bond money back. It’s committed to the court's final decision.
What Happens Next for Carroll?
So, where does that leave us right now in January 2026?
We are essentially in the final act. The 2nd Circuit has already said "no" to the appeals twice. The Supreme Court is the only door left. If the high court refuses to hear the case—which many legal experts like Roberta Kaplan (Carroll’s lawyer) expect—the "escrow" gates open.
At that point, the money moves from the insurance company to Carroll’s legal team.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case:
- Watch the Supreme Court Docket: Keep an eye on whether the SCOTUS "denies cert" (refuses to hear the case). This is the "kill switch" for Trump’s delays.
- Check the Interest Rates: Civil judgments in New York accrue interest at 9% annually. Every month this drags on, the total amount Trump owes actually increases significantly.
- Differentiate the Cases: Remember that the $83.3 million is for defamation (the "liar" comments), while the $5 million covered the original sexual abuse finding and later defamation.
The reality of the question did e jean carroll get paid is that she has won every legal battle so far, and the money is effectively "locked" in the court system. She hasn't spent a dime of it yet, but the path for Trump to get it back is almost entirely blocked.
If you're waiting for the "E. Jean Carroll buys a new house" headline, you’re looking for the moment the Supreme Court officially declines to step in. That’s the final whistle.