Legal hurdles and political loyalty hinder Trump's post-verdict appeal efforts.

Former President Trump and his attorney are likely to appeal the civil liability ruling in the case brought by E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual abuse and defamation. However, former assistant U.S. attorney Andrew McCarthy doubts the appeal will succeed due to the legal trend of expanding the admissibility of "propensity evidence" in sexual assault cases. The jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse but not for rape. Carroll's attorney called the verdict a "victory for democracy itself and for all survivors everywhere."