Summer Zervos and Donald J. Trump
This profile summarises publicly reported allegations and the resulting civil litigation involving Summer Zervos and Donald J. Trump. It includes verified court records and reputable reporting. Allegations are not criminal findings. Judicial decisions, filings and outcomes are stated clearly to ensure factual accuracy.
Last updated: 20 November 2025
Summary
Summer Zervos, a former contestant on The Apprentice, alleged publicly in 2016 that Donald J. Trump made unwanted sexual contact during two meetings in 2007. The first occurred at Trump Tower during a meeting connected to potential employment. Zervos stated that Trump kissed her without consent. She alleged that a second encounter took place at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where she says Trump groped her, kissed her aggressively and touched her breasts. Trump denied the allegations.
Following Trump’s public statements calling accusers “liars,” Zervos filed a defamation lawsuit in New York state court in January 2017. The case proceeded through multiple rounds of litigation, including the question of whether a sitting president could be sued in state court. In March 2019 the Appellate Division, First Department, ruled that the case could proceed while Trump remained in office. Litigation continued into 2020 and 2021. In November 2021 the case ended by stipulation. Zervos’ counsel stated publicly that she accepted no compensation and retained the right to speak freely about her allegations. No further filings have been reported.
Key Facts
Alleged incidents:
Two meetings in 2007 related to possible employment, one at Trump Tower in New York and one at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Public disclosure:
A press conference on 14 October 2016 during which Zervos described both encounters.
Defamation lawsuit filed:
17 January 2017 in New York Supreme Court, alleging defamation based on Trump’s public denials and statements describing accusers as liars.
Major appeal:
In March 2019 the Appellate Division held that the case could proceed while Trump was president.
Case conclusion:
On 12 November 2021 the case ended through a stipulation of discontinuance. Zervos’ attorneys stated that no compensation was provided and that she maintained her allegations.
Legal action after 2021:
No re-filing or further proceedings have been reported.
Explanation:
These points highlight the nature of the allegation, how and when it was disclosed, how the litigation unfolded, the court decisions involved and the final procedural outcome.
Timeline
2007 – Alleged incidents
Zervos alleges that she met with Trump at Trump Tower in hopes of securing employment after her appearance on The Apprentice. She states that during this meeting Trump kissed her on the lips without consent. She further alleges that during a later meeting at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Trump kissed her aggressively, touched her breasts and pressed his body against hers. She said she resisted and told him to stop.
14 October 2016 – Public disclosure
Zervos held a press conference in which she described the two encounters. The event was widely covered by national television outlets, including ABC7. At the time, numerous women had come forward with accounts alleging inappropriate conduct by Trump. Zervos said she had reached out privately to Trump’s organisation years earlier to resolve the matter, but decided to speak publicly after his campaign denied all allegations of misconduct.
17 January 2017 – Defamation lawsuit filed
Zervos filed a defamation claim against Trump in New York state court. The suit alleged that Trump’s statements dismissing accusers as liars damaged her reputation and caused harm. The case became one of the most legally significant matters involving Trump and a private citizen during his presidency.
March 2018 – Trial court orders
The court denied Trump’s motion to dismiss and held that the lawsuit could proceed. A New York Courts press release summarised the ruling, noting that the president was not immune from civil litigation in state court for unofficial conduct.
14 March 2019 – Appellate Division decision
The Appellate Division, First Department, affirmed the trial court’s ruling in Zervos v. Trump, 171 A.D.3d 110. The court held that the presidency did not shield Trump from defending against a state civil lawsuit unrelated to official duties.
7 January 2020 – Leave granted to appeal
The New York Court of Appeals granted leave to review jurisdictional issues. Litigation continued with discovery disputes and additional motions.
12 November 2021 – Case ends
A stipulation of discontinuance was filed, ending the case. Zervos’ legal team issued a public statement affirming she accepted no compensation and continued to stand by her allegations. Trump’s counsel welcomed the closure. No settlement agreement was disclosed, and no findings of fact were made by the court.
2022–2025 – No further legal developments
Major outlets, including Courthouse News, ABC News and Reuters, reported on the termination of the lawsuit. No new filings have been documented.
Media Coverage and Documentation
Court filings and appellate rulings provide the backbone of the legal history. Major news outlets reported extensively on the allegations and the litigation. ABC News covered Zervos’ initial press conference and the 2021 case termination. Reuters documented the conclusion of the lawsuit and its place in broader coverage of alleged misconduct accusations. Courthouse News provided detailed reporting on the procedural end of the case and confirmed Zervos’ refusal of compensation.
The case has also featured prominently in backgrounders reviewing civil actions involving Trump, due to its relevance to presidential immunity and state jurisdiction.
Responses and Statements
Donald J. Trump
Trump has denied Zervos’ allegations since 2016, describing them as fabricated. Through counsel he stated in 2021 that he was pleased the case had ended.
Summer Zervos
Zervos stated that she stands by her allegations and pursued the defamation lawsuit to clear her name. Upon ending the case in 2021, her legal team reiterated that she accepted no compensation and that she retained the right to speak publicly.
Conclusion
Summer Zervos’ allegation stands out not only because of the conduct she describes, but because it led to one of the most consequential civil actions involving a sitting president. Her allegations concern meetings in 2007 connected to employment opportunities. Trump denied the claims repeatedly. The defamation suit that followed created a significant appellate record on presidential immunity in state courts. After nearly five years of litigation, the case ended in 2021 without a trial and without compensation. The allegation remains unadjudicated but continues to be included in legal analyses and media reporting covering misconduct claims against Trump.
Sources
Justia — Zervos v. Trump, 171 A.D.3d 110 (Appellate Division First Department, 2019)
Courthouse News — “Trump accuser settles defamation case without compensation” (12 Nov 2021)