E. Jean Carroll’s Legal Victory
E. Jean Carroll, journalist and former Elle advice columnist, received over $5.6 million after a civil verdict against Donald Trump. The payment included the original $5 million award and accrued interest totaling $5,625,005.48. Carroll shared the news in a Substack post titled ‘The Eagle Has Landed,’ thanking her legal team and offering a pointed message to Trump’s former attorney, Alina Habba.
In a celebratory tone, Carroll credited Habba with helping her win the legal battle, although the comment appeared sarcastic. Habba represented Trump during important stages of the case, which involved appeals that ultimately upheld the jury’s 2023 verdict in Carroll’s favor.
“And … a special, special thanks to Alina Habba Esq.! I could not have done it without you,” Carroll wrote.
Who Is E. Jean Carroll?
Carroll is a veteran journalist who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump has always denied knowing Carroll or committing any wrongdoing. Carroll made her accusation public in 2019, leading to a complex legal battle and several civil trials.
The legal dispute resulted in two major jury verdicts against Trump, becoming one of the most significant cases involving him before another presidential campaign.
The Case Against Trump
Carroll sued Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. In May 2023, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, awarding her $5 million. While Trump was not liable for rape under New York law, he was found liable for sexual abuse.
In January 2024, Carroll won a second defamation case, securing $83.3 million due to Trump’s continued defamatory statements. This verdict substantially increased Trump’s financial liability. Courts repeatedly dismissed Trump’s appeals of both cases.
The $5.6 Million Payment
The payment Carroll received relates to the first jury verdict, where the court added interest to the original amount of damages. The higher final sum resulted from accrued interest as the case went through the appeals process. The transfer followed the Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene and lower courts upholding the verdict.
Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, highlighted the effort required to enforce the jury’s judgment. She expressed satisfaction that Carroll finally received the damages awarded.
Who Is Alina Habba?
Alina Habba is a New Jersey attorney recognized as a key player in Trump’s legal defense team. She represented Trump in Carroll’s litigation and other prominent cases. Habba frequently appeared in court and on television, maintaining a visible role in Trump’s defense strategy.
Habba also served as interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey but resigned from that position in 2025. Carroll’s reference to Habba in ‘The Eagle Has Landed’ hinted at Habba’s involvement in a litigation journey that ended with sizable judgments benefiting Carroll.
While Carroll’s message was purportedly in jest, it underscored the legal challenges Habba faced defending Trump.
Leave a Reply