Challenges Faced by E. Jean Carroll: Obstacles and Turning Points
A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped E. Jean Carroll's life and career.
E. Jean Carroll is an American journalist, author, and advice columnist known for her long-running "Ask E. Jean" column in Elle magazine. In 2019, she published "What Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal," in which she accused Les Moonves and Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s. Both men denied the accusations. The allegations and subsequent defamation lawsuits have kept Carroll in the public eye.
1995: Alleged Sexual Assault
In late 1995 or early 1996, E. Jean Carroll alleges that she was sexually assaulted by Donald Trump.
1996: Alleged Sexual Assault
In late 1995 or early 1996, E. Jean Carroll alleges that she was sexually assaulted by Donald Trump.
June 21, 2019: Article Published in New York Magazine
On June 21, 2019, E. Jean Carroll published an article in New York magazine stating that Donald Trump had sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s.
November 2019: Defamation Lawsuit Filed
In November 2019, E. Jean Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump with the New York Supreme Court.
2019: Accusations Against Moonves and Trump
In 2019, E. Jean Carroll accused Les Moonves and Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s in her book, What Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal. Both men denied the allegations.
2019: Carroll Sues Trump for Defamation
In 2019, E. Jean Carroll sued Trump for defamation after he denied allegations of sexual assault.
2019: Accusation of Les Moonves
In 2019, E. Jean Carroll was among 13 women who accused CBS Corporation chairman and CEO Les Moonves of sexual assault.
February 2020: Carroll Fired from Elle
In February 2020, E. Jean Carroll was fired from Elle magazine, which she attributed to Donald Trump's influence, though Elle cited a business decision.
September 2020: DOJ Attempts to Take Over Case
In September 2020, government lawyers from the Department of Justice asserted that Donald Trump had acted in his official capacity while responding to E. Jean Carroll's accusation, attempting to move the case to federal court.
October 2020: DOJ Motion Rejected
In October 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis A. Kaplan rejected the DOJ's motion to take over E. Jean Carroll's defamation case against Donald Trump.
June 2021: DOJ Argues to Defend Trump
In June 2021, the DOJ argued to the Second Circuit appeals court that DOJ lawyers should defend Donald Trump as a federal employee in the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll.
September 27, 2022: Appeals Court Ruling
On September 27, 2022, the appeals court ruled that "we cannot say what the District would do" in terms of allowing Donald Trump to be shielded by his former office as U.S. president in the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll.
November 24, 2022: Carroll Sues Trump for Battery
On November 24, 2022, E. Jean Carroll sued Donald Trump for battery in New York under the Adult Survivors Act.
January 2023: D.C. Appeals Court Hears Arguments
In January 2023, the District of Columbia (D.C.) appeals court held oral arguments before a full panel of judges regarding the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll.
February 2023: Trial Date Scheduled
In February 2023, Judge Kaplan scheduled the trial date for E. Jean Carroll's case against Donald Trump for April 25.
April 13, 2023: Funding Disclosure
On April 13, 2023, E. Jean Carroll disclosed that part of her legal expenses were funded by Reid Hoffman.
May 9, 2023: Trump Found Liable for Defamation and Sexual Abuse
On May 9, 2023, a jury found Donald Trump liable for defamation and sexual abuse against E. Jean Carroll in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, awarding her $5 million in damages.
May 11, 2023: Trump Files Appeal
On May 11, 2023, Donald Trump filed an appeal with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals following the verdict finding him liable for sexual abuse, battery, and defamation.
May 23, 2023: Carroll Seeks Additional Damages
On May 23, 2023, E. Jean Carroll sought $10 million in additional damages and asked the court to expand the 2019 defamation lawsuit to include Donald Trump's post-verdict remarks on CNN and Truth Social.
June 2023: Trump Counter-Sues Carroll for Defamation
In June 2023, Donald Trump counter-sued E. Jean Carroll for defamation, after she told CNN "yes he did" rape her.
July 19, 2023: Judge Kaplan's Ruling on Rape
On July 19, 2023, Judge Kaplan ruled that Donald Trump did rape E. Jean Carroll as the term is understood "in common modern parlance."
January 15, 2024: Second Defamation Trial Scheduled
On January 15, 2024, the second defamation trial was scheduled.
January 16, 2024: Tacopina Drops Representation
On January 16, 2024, after Joe Tacopina dropped his representation of Donald Trump just as the case was about to resume, ex-Trump attorney Tim Parlatore criticized Tacopina's cross-examination of E. Jean Carroll in prior proceedings.
January 26, 2024: Trump Found Liable for Additional Defamation
On January 26, 2024, a jury found Donald Trump liable for defamation against E. Jean Carroll regarding his remarks after the first verdict, awarding her an additional $83.3 million in damages. Trump appealed the verdict and posted a $91.6 million bond.
March 8, 2024: Trump Appeals Verdict and Posts Bond
On March 8, 2024, Donald Trump appealed the verdict and posted a $91.6 million bond, three days before the payments deadline.
