E. Jean Carroll’s ongoing battle against former President Donald Trump has been a focal point of public interest. The seasoned columnist stirred the legal waters by accusing Trump of serious charges dating back to 1996. Since then, a series of legal moves and counter-moves has unfolded, creating a complex narrative.
Let’s take a look back at 10 key moments that have shaped this legal dispute.
1996 – Alleged Assault Occurs
In 1996, E. Jean Carroll alleges encountering Donald Trump at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan. At this point, Carroll was an established advice columnist, known for her “Ask E. Jean” column in “Elle” magazine. Carroll claims that Trump, recognizing her, asked for assistance in buying a gift for someone. This encounter took a disturbing turn when Carroll alleges that Trump sexually assaulted her inside a dressing room. Carroll confided in friends Lisa Birnbach and Carol Martin about the incident, marking the beginning of a series of events that would unfold over the years.
June 2019 – Carroll Comes Forward, Trump Denies Claims
Fast forward to June 2019, when New York magazine publishes an excerpt from Carroll’s book, titled “What Do We Need Men For?” The headline, “Hideous Men: Donald Trump assaulted me in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room 23 years ago,” thrusts Carroll’s story into the public eye. Trump promptly denies the allegations in a written statement circulated by the White House. Despite photographic evidence of them together in the 1980s, Trump maintains he has never met Carroll. The public denial sets the stage for a legal battle between Carroll and Trump.
November 2019 – Carroll Sues Trump for Defamation
With the statute of limitations preventing Carroll from seeking damages for the alleged assault, she takes a different legal route. On November 4, 2019, Carroll sued Trump for defamation, focusing on his written statement and comments made on the White House South Lawn. The legal complexity deepens when the Trump-era Justice Department attempts to intervene under the Westfall Act, a move rejected by U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan. This sets the stage for a protracted legal battle involving multiple courts.
September 2020 – Justice Department Steps In
In September 2020, almost a year after Carroll’s initial lawsuit, the Justice Department intervened under the Westfall Act. The department seeks to substitute itself as the defendant, claiming that Trump’s statements fall within the scope of his employment as president. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan rejected this effort, leading to a prolonged legal entanglement that spans the transition from the Trump to the Biden administration. The case involves various legal arguments and appeals as the Biden-era Justice Department continues the fight initiated by its predecessor.
November 2022 – Carroll Sues Trump a Second Time
A significant development occurred in November 2022 when New York enacted the Adult Survivors Act, reviving previously time-barred claims for sexual misconduct. Carroll seizes this opportunity and files a second lawsuit against Trump on the same day the Act goes into effect. This time, she seeks damages for the alleged assault itself and adds a new defamation claim related to Trump’s denial in October 2022. Importantly, these claims do not involve alleged conduct while Trump was in office, avoiding the Westfall Act issue.
May 2023 – Jury Finds Trump Liable for Sexual Battery
After various unsuccessful attempts by Trump to dismiss Carroll’s second lawsuit, the case proceeds to trial. On May 9, 2023, a federal jury in New York found Trump liable for sexual abuse, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. This marks a significant victory for Carroll in the courtroom. However, the legal battle escalates as Trump, following the verdict, denies Carroll’s story again. This leads to additional legal maneuvers, including counterclaims and disputes over the nature of the allegations.
July 2023 – Multi-Year, Complicated Legal Fight Ends
The legal saga takes an unexpected turn in July 2023 when the Justice Department, after years of involvement, withdraws from the case. This leaves Trump solely responsible and marks the end of a convoluted chapter in the legal battle. Carroll’s first lawsuit, which had been entangled in the Justice Department’s actions, begins moving forward.
September 2023 – Trump Found Automatically Liable
In September 2023, Judge Kaplan delivered a significant ruling, declaring Trump liable for defaming Carroll. The decision is based on the premise that Trump’s denials were automatically false and defamatory under the previous jury’s verdict. While Carroll achieves a partial victory, the issue of damages remains unresolved, awaiting further deliberation by a jury.
December 2023 – Appeals Court Denies Trump’s Attempt at Asserting Immunity
In a last-ditch effort to avoid trial in the remaining case, Trump asserts immunity. However, Kaplan rules that Trump has waited too long to assert this claim. An appeals court agrees to hear Trump’s appeal on an expedited basis, affirming Kaplan’s ruling on December 13, 2023, and setting the stage for the upcoming trial.
January 2024 – Trial in Carroll’s Original Defamation Suit
The legal journey reached a climax in January 2024 when a second jury ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million to Carroll for defaming her in June 2019. Unlike the first trial, Trump actively participates in the proceedings, even taking the stand in his defense. The trial becomes a unique spectacle as Trump maneuvers between the Manhattan federal court and New Hampshire, utilizing the legal battleground as a campaign stop.
Conclusion
E. Jean Carroll’s legal battle against former President Trump is a nuanced and protracted saga, marked by key events that span decades. From the initial allegations in 1996 to the recent trial in 2024, the case underscores the challenges and complexities involved in seeking justice for allegations of sexual assault against individuals in positions of power.