Taxpayers Won’t Cover Trump’s Appeal in Defamation Case

Donald Trump is attempting to avoid paying the $83 million awarded to E. Jean Carroll after a court found him liable for defamation. Despite this verdict, Trump continues to publicly disparage Carroll and has accrued additional legal losses.

Recently, Trump requested that the Department of Justice represent him in appealing the ruling, aiming for taxpayers to bear the costs. However, a federal appeals court rejected this request, stating that American taxpayers will not fund his legal efforts in this matter.

In a significant decision, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel declined Trump’s plea, emphasizing that defamation does not fall under the scope of official presidential duties. Trump had argued that defaming Carroll was part of his presidential responsibilities, claiming that his speech was made while acting in his official capacity and thus, should be covered by government funds.

This ruling highlights an important legal distinction: not all actions taken by a president are considered official acts. While the Supreme Court previously provided broad immunity, the limits of presidential responsibilities are still being clarified, and defamation was explicitly not deemed an official act in this case.

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