A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the release of $5.8 million awarded by a jury to E. Jean Carroll in a defamation case involving President Donald Trump. Trump's attorneys appealed the order less than an hour later.

The Hill reported that U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan directed the funds be released after they were placed in escrow during Trump's appeal of a 2023 judgment finding him liable for defaming Carroll.

Trump's attorneys asked Kaplan to keep the money in escrow while a petition for rehearing remains pending before the Supreme Court, arguing the president would suffer "irreparable harm" if the funds are released before that process is completed.

The Supreme Court last week declined without explanation to hear Trump's appeal of the underlying defamation judgment.

Carroll attorney Roberta Kaplan said the Supreme Court's decision means the litigation should come to an end.

"After four years of litigation across every level of the federal court system, it is time for this case to end," Kaplan said in a statement published by The Guardian.

She added Carroll is "now entitled to obtain payment of the money due under the judgment."

The underlying case stems from statements Trump made during his first term after Carroll accused him of sexually assaulting her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan.

Trump publicly rejected the allegations, describing them as a "con job" and a "hoax."

A jury later found Trump's statements defamed Carroll and awarded damages.

Trump denies Carroll's allegations. In a May 2023 Truth Social post, Trump wrote, "I don't know E. Jean Carroll, I never met her or touched her," adding, "I never abused her or raped her," and calling the allegations "A TOTAL SCAM" while also stating, "IT NEVER HAPPENED."

Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal inquiry involving Carroll and whether she made false statements related to her accusations against Trump.