'That starts the clock': E. Jean Carroll judge just entered an order on Trump payment

The judge in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case has taken a step that puts former President Donald Trump on a timer to post bond for the damages, reported MSNBC legal commentator Lisa Rubin on Thursday.

Carroll sued former President Donald Trump after he called her allegation he raped her in a Manhattan department store a lie, claimed he had no idea who she was, and said she was making it up to sell books. A jury awarded her $83.3 million in the case, which was presided over by Judge Lewis Kaplan.

"Judge Kaplan has at least entered judgment in the second Carroll trial," wrote Rubin on X. "That starts the clock for Trump's post-trial motions and for him to post a bond."

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"Specifically, federal rules governing civil cases stay a plaintiff's execution on a judgment for 30 days after the entry of judgment, which effectively means he has 30 days to provide a bond or other security to lengthen that stay pending an appeal," Rubin continued. "Trump also has 28 days after the entry of judgment to move for a new trial or to 'alter or amend' the judgment."

The judgment affirms the award the jury said Carroll deserves.

All of this comes as Judge Arthur Engoron is still yet to rule on another civil case against Trump: the fraud allegations brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

In that case, James is seeking $370 million in fines and the dissolution of the Trump Organization in all of New York.