E. Jean Carroll is an American journalist and advice columnist who filed a defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump in 2019. Carroll accused Trump of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the mid-1990s, a claim which Trump has denied.
The defamation lawsuit is related to Trump’s public statements about Carroll’s allegations. In 2019, Trump denied the allegations and claimed that Carroll was “totally lying” to sell a book. Carroll’s lawsuit argues that Trump’s statements harmed her reputation and career.
The case has been ongoing for several years, with Trump’s lawyers attempting to have it dismissed or delayed. However, a federal judge in 2021 ruled that the case could proceed to trial, which is set to begin in April 2022.
The trial will focus on whether Trump’s comments about Carroll were made in his official capacity as President, which could impact his immunity from civil lawsuits. Trump’s legal team has argued that his comments were made in the context of his presidency, while Carroll’s lawyers maintain that they were made in his personal capacity.
Carroll’s case is significant because it represents one of the few instances in which a sitting President has faced a civil lawsuit. The case has also brought attention to the issue of sexual assault and harassment, particularly in the #MeToo era.
Carroll has stated that she hopes her case will encourage other women to come forward with their stories of sexual assault and harassment. She has also emphasized the importance of holding powerful men accountable for their actions.
As the trial approaches, it is expected to draw significant media attention and public interest. It remains to be seen what the outcome will be and what impact it may have on future cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct by public figures.