E. Jean Carroll (center) sues Donald Trump for defamation after he rejected her allegation of rape. Photo: John Mincillo/AP
Donald Trump could face legal consequences for questioning why his accuser in the ongoing rape trial «didn't yell.» in a social media post, the judge hearing the case warned.
Former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll testified on the second day of a New York civil trial that Mr. Trump raped her in a department store locker room in 1996, and then tried to «destroy her» by accusing her of lying when she went public. later.
On Wednesday morning, the 76-year-old Republican posted on his Pravda social media account, calling it a «scam.»
Mr. Trump, who is not expected to be called to testify during the two-week hearing in Manhattan, wrote: «The case of E. Jean Carroll, Ms. Bergdorf Goodman, is a fabricated scam.»
Comments 'completely inappropriate'
“Does anyone believe that I would then take a nearly 60-year-old woman whom I did not know from the front door of a very crowded department store (I am very well known, to put it mildly!), To a small dressing room, and …. her,” he continued. «She didn't scream? Are there no witnesses? Nobody saw this? She never wrote a statement to the police? If I was seen there with a woman — BIG PRESS. FRAUD!”
Ms. Carroll's attorney argued in court to Judge Lewis Kaplan that Mr. Trump's latest posts violate court orders. Judge Kaplan responded that the former president seemed to be trying to convey to his supporters, or perhaps even the jury, questions that «should not be part of the case.»
He said the comments were «completely inappropriate.»
Joe Tacopina, Mr. Trump's lawyer, replied that he would «try to discuss this with my client» and that he would ask him «to refrain from any further communications concerning this case. .
E. Jean Carroll claims that the former US President raped her in a department store locker room in 1996. Photo: SHANNON STAPLETON/REUTERS
The judge replied, «Well, I hope you do better,» and added that Trump «may or may not interfere with a new source of potential liability. And I think you understand what I mean.”
79-year-old Carroll sues the leader of the Republican Party in the 2024 US presidential election for defamation after he denied her statement about rape in an October post on Truth Social.
Although this is a civil proceeding, not a criminal trial, the stakes are still high for Trump. If Ms. Carroll succeeds, it will be the first time he has been prosecuted for sexual assault after more than two dozen such allegations have been made against him.
Speaking for the first time, the former magazine columnist Elle told jurors that her first impressions of the New York real estate mogul were both "conteur" and "man in the city".
She admitted that she finds him attractive, considering him "a sophisticated man who is fun to spend time with.»
Bergdorf Goodman's Dressing Room
The emotional Ms. Carroll then spoke about the moment of the alleged attack in the dressing room of Bergdorf Goodman, saying: "He was very big. He leaned over and pulled off my pantyhose.
"I pushed him back. It was very clear that I didn't want anything else to happen. As I sit here today, I can still feel it.»
She said she screamed but doesn't remember saying no.»
Mr. Trump denies the allegations, saying, that the couple had never met. On Wednesday, a photograph was presented in evidence of Mr. Trump and Ms. Carroll at a social event with their partners in the mid-90s.
A jury of six is expected and three women will decide whether to hold Mr. Trump liable for damages, and if so, how much he owes Ms. Carroll in damages.
The lawsuit is ongoing.
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