Former advice columnist E. Jean Carroll took the stand in a New York court on Wednesday, alleging that former President Donald Trump deliberately damaged her reputation by lying about sexually assaulting her and labeling her a ‘wack job.’ The $10 million defamation trial revolves around statements made by Trump concerning Carroll while he was in office.
Carroll, who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the 1990s, provided dramatic testimony during the trial. A New York jury had previously ruled in favor of Carroll, concluding that Trump had indeed assaulted her. The current trial focuses on Trump’s comments about Carroll during his presidency.
Appearing in court after being pictured leaving Trump Tower earlier in the day with mysterious cuts on his hands, Trump shook his head dismissively as Carroll made her statements.
In response to questions from her lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, Carroll stated, ‘Donald Trump assaulted me, and when I wrote about it, he said it never happened. He lied and shattered my reputation.’ She emphasized that Trump has continued to lie about her and the assault, even after the previous court ruling.
Carroll explained that her reputation, built over 50 years as an advice columnist, was tarnished by Trump’s false statements. She revealed that a comment on Twitter, referring to her as a ‘fraud,’ prompted her to testify and seek redress. ‘Previously I was noticed simply as a journalist. Now I’m known as a liar, a fraud, and a wack job. People are not dying to write to an advice columnist who the President says is a disgrace,’ Carroll expressed.
During her testimony, Carroll shared insights into her upbringing in rural Indiana, her achievements, and the impact of Trump’s statements on her life and career. Despite testy moments and objections during the trial, Carroll remains resolute in her pursuit of justice, aiming to reclaim her reputation and hold Trump accountable for what she perceives as damaging falsehoods.