A federal judge has ordered the release of $5 million to E.Jean Carroll in her sexual abuse lawsuit against Donald Trump, rejecting his request to delay the payout while he appeals to the Supreme Court.The decision, made by U.S.District Judge Lewis Kaplan, comes after a jury found Trump sexually abused Carroll in 1996 and defamed her in 2022.

The judge ruled that Trump’s argument about irreparable harm if the funds are released is unfounded, noting he could simply sue Carroll for repayment if the Supreme Court overturns the verdict.Trump, who has a net worth of $7.7 billion, had argued the money should remain in court until his appeal is resolved.However, Kaplan stated the Supreme Court is unlikely to revisit the case, and the judgment has been upheld on appeal.Carroll’s lawyer confirmed the total amount, including interest, now stands at $5.77 million.Trump’s legal team has vowed to challenge the ruling, setting up another potential Supreme Court showdown.The case highlights ongoing legal battles over Trump’s alleged misconduct and the complexities of high-profile civil litigation.