Legal AF by MeidasTouch: Episode Summary
Episode: Trump Braces to Lose Millions After Fatal Court Ruling
Release Date: June 28, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Legal AF by MeidasTouch, host Michael Popak delves into the latest developments surrounding former President Donald Trump's ongoing legal battles. The focus is on a pivotal appellate court ruling that could lead to Trump losing millions in civil judgments related to sexual abuse and defamation claims brought forward by E. Jean Carroll. Popak provides a comprehensive analysis of the court's decision, Trump's legal maneuvers, and the potential implications for future litigation.
Background of the Case
The legal feud between Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll has been a prolonged and contentious battle. Carroll has accused Trump of sexual abuse in the 1990s and defamation for his subsequent public denials and disparaging remarks about her character. These allegations have been substantiated in two separate federal jury verdicts in New York, with Trump facing significant financial judgments.
Latest Court Rulings
Popak outlines that Eugene Carroll has secured another victory at the appellate court level, marking her second triumph in just two weeks against Trump. He highlights the appellate court's unanimous stance against Trump's attempts to introduce presidential immunity as a defense.
Michael Popak [06:56]: "The Second Circuit said, 'You already argued presidential immunity two years ago. We're here on the Midas Touch Network and on Legal AF. This is not a broken record. This is yet another win for E. Jean Carroll.'"
The appellate court, comprising Judge Merryman, Judge Chen, and Judge Kahn, dismissed Trump's motion to have the United States substitute in the case, thereby rejecting his claim of immunity based on his former presidential duties.
Trump's Legal Strategy
Trump's legal team has made several attempts to overturn the jury's verdicts by invoking presidential immunity. Initially, they sought for the U.S. government to intervene in the case, arguing that Trump's actions fell within the scope of his presidential duties. However, the appellate court has consistently rebuffed these arguments.
Michael Popak [08:45]: "He's arguing that it's presidential immunity can never be waived. Alina Haba raised that exact issue at the Second Circuit two years ago and she was shot down by another panel. So we're just beating a dead horse now."
Trump also attempted to delay proceedings by filing a motion to stay the case, which was subsequently rejected by the court. His reliance on a June 2024 Supreme Court decision that seemingly granted him broader immunity does not hold sway in the current litigation concerning his alleged private misconduct.
Appellate Court's Decision
The appellate court's decision centers on the principle of waiver of immunity. Popak explains that by not invoking presidential immunity during the initial stages of litigation and continuing to participate in the case for nearly 18 months, Trump effectively waived any claim to such immunity.
Michael Popak [12:30]: "Immunity is something that can be waived. And because Donald Trump continued in the litigation for almost 18 months in federal court and never raised presidential immunity... we found waiver."
The court also scrutinized Trump's reliance on the Supreme Court's earlier ruling, emphasizing that the immunity does not extend to private acts such as the alleged sexual abuse and subsequent defamation.
Potential Supreme Court Involvement
Looking ahead, Popak anticipates that Trump will escalate the matter to the United States Supreme Court in a bid to overturn the appellate ruling. He outlines the likely procedural steps:
- Writ of Certiorari: Trump's lawyers will file a petition requesting the Supreme Court to review the appellate decision.
- Court's Discretion: The Supreme Court may choose to take up the case if at least four justices agree to hear it.
- Decision Timeline: A potential ruling could emerge by August, coinciding with the Supreme Court's new term beginning in October.
Michael Popak [22:15]: "It's about a civil matter about a sexual abuse and large civil judgments. I'm not sure even this United States Supreme Court bails out Donald Trump related to that. But it will probably be a regular writ of certiorari application to the United States Supreme Court..."
Implications and Conclusion
If the Supreme Court declines to hear Trump's appeal or rules against him, the appellate court's decision stands, and Carroll can proceed to collect the awarded damages. The financial implications for Trump are substantial, with a total judgment exceeding $83.5 million.
Michael Popak [29:50]: "If he loses at the United States Supreme Court or they don't even take the appeal on either judgment or both judgments, then she can cash in the judgments against the bond. He has 30 days to pay. If he doesn't pay, she knocks on the door of the bonding company... she will get paid in 2025 or more likely, sometime in 2026."
Popak emphasizes the persistence of Carroll's legal team and the judiciary's ongoing scrutiny of Trump's attempts to evade accountability through legal technicalities.
Michael Popak [31:10]: "This appellate panel... is going to rule that Donald Trump waived his presidential immunity. And the fact that the Supreme Court entered some other immunity decision later on doesn't matter."
The episode underscores the resilience of the legal process and the challenges faced by high-profile figures in circumventing judicial outcomes.
Further Engagement
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End of Summary