During the trial, columnist E Jean accused Donald Trump lying about raping her, and shattered her reputation. She testified in a civil lawsuit seeking damages for battery. Carroll alleges that Trump sexually assaulted her in a New York department store changing room in 1996 and then accused her of lying when she went public with her accusations in a book.
“I’m here because Donald Trump raped me, and when I wrote about it, he said it didn’t happen. He lied and shattered my reputation. I’m here to try and get my life back,” Carroll told the court. Trump denies the allegations.
Ahead of Carroll’s testimony, the judge warned Trump against posting on his social media site, Truth Social, where he called Carroll’s accusations a “made-up SCAM” and a “witch-hunt”. The judge said Trump’s post was “entirely inappropriate” and warned they could become “a potential source of liability” for him.
E Jean Carroll described running into Trump as she was leaving the Bergdorf Goodman luxury department store. Trump allegedly asked her to help him pick out a gift and led the way to the lingerie department where he demanded that she try on a grey-blue bodysuit.
Donald Trump lied and shattered my reputation: Columnist E Jean Carroll testifies in court
“He immediately shut the door and shoved me up against the wall. He shoved me so hard my head banged. I was extremely confused. I pushed back and he thrust me back against the wall again, banging my head again,” she said. “He leaned down and pulled down my tights. I was pushing him back. It was quite clear I didn’t want anything else to happen.” Carroll alleges that Trump then raped her.
“It left me unable to ever have a romantic life again,” E Jean Carrol said, explaining that she found it impossible to even smile at a man she was attracted to after the alleged rape.
The case has garnered widespread attention as it brings renewed focus to Trump’s history of sexual assault allegations. This latest accusation against him comes as he tries to launch his own social media platform, Truth Social, following his ban from Twitter and other major platforms.
The outcome of the civil lawsuit remains to be seen, but Carroll’s testimony and the judge’s warning to Trump highlight the seriousness of the accusations against him.
