Donald Trump's lawyers requested more time to pay the damages awarded to columnist Jean Carroll, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to hear his appeal in the case.

The case concerns a 2023 ruling in which a jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages, finding that Trump had sexually assaulted her in 1996 and subsequently defamed her when she went public with her allegations in 2019. Trump has consistently denied the allegations.

According to a new court filing, the U.S. president’s legal team is seeking an extension, as his former lead attorney, Justin Smith, took office last month as a federal judge—a position to which he was nominated by Trump himself.

The team’s new leader, Josh Halpern, needs more time “to fully familiarize himself with the facts and procedural aspects” of the case, Trump’s lawyers said.

The compensation amount has already been deposited into a special escrow account, but Trump is attempting to delay its disbursement. With interest, the total amount has now reached nearly $5.8 million.

His attorneys asked the court to extend the deadline for responding to Carroll’s request for payment until July 14, arguing that the plaintiff “is not at risk of substantial harm” from such an extension.

As they noted, the judgment is fully secured by the funds under the court’s control, including interest to cover any additional costs.

Carol’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, responded by arguing that the Trump side’s request “appears to be yet another attempt to buy time.” As she noted, Smith had been nominated for a judicial position more than five months ago, and Trump had had ample time to seek new legal representation.

Last week, Carroll’s lawyers asked the court to proceed with the payment of the damages awarded by the jury.

Trump has repeatedly characterized the case as politically and financially motivated, and after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal, he stated that he would continue the legal battle, referring to the case as an “abuse of the justice system.”

Carol’s side believes that Trump may attempt new legal maneuvers, linking the case to a second defamation ruling awarding her $83 million.

The second case concerns statements Trump made about Carroll during his first presidential term and may raise issues regarding presidential immunity.

Source: Proto Thema