The Supreme Court declined to hear Donald Trump’s appeal of a $5 million jury verdict finding him liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, after lower courts upheld the 2023 ruling. Trump, who has denied Carroll’s allegations, responded on social media by calling the case a form of “weaponization” and “lawfare,” and vowing to keep fighting the defamation claim. The justices rejected arguments that the trial was tainted by evidence of Trump’s past behavior. Meanwhile, Trump’s Justice Department has reportedly launched a criminal investigation into whether Carroll committed perjury during the civil suits. Carroll’s attorney said the ruling ends Trump’s efforts to avoid accountability.