Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to E. Jean Carroll

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving E. Jean Carroll.

E. Jean Carroll is an American journalist, author, and advice columnist best known for her long-running "Ask E. Jean" column in Elle magazine. In 2019, she published a book, 'What Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal,' where she accused Les Moonves and Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s. Both Moonves and Trump have denied these allegations. Carroll's accusations and subsequent legal battles have made her a prominent figure in discussions about sexual assault and accountability.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1995: Alleged Sexual Assault

In late 1995, E. Jean Carroll alleges that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her.

1996: Alleged Sexual Assault

In early 1996, E. Jean Carroll alleges that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her.

June 21, 2019: Carroll Accuses Trump of Sexual Assault in New York Magazine

On June 21, 2019, E. Jean Carroll published an article in New York magazine stating that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in late 1995 or early 1996 at Bergdorf Goodman. A 1987 photograph of her socializing with Trump was published in the article.

November 2019: Carroll Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Trump

In November 2019, E. Jean Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit with the New York Supreme Court, stating that Trump damaged her reputation, harmed her professionally, and caused emotional pain after she spoke out about him allegedly raping her. The White House dismissed the suit as frivolous.

2019: Sexual Assault Accusations and Memoir Release

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.

What Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal

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2019: Carroll Accuses Les Moonves of Sexual Assault

In 2019, E. Jean Carroll was among 13 women who accused Les Moonves, the chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation, of sexual assault, alleging an incident in the late 1990s; Moonves denied the accusation.

February 2020: Carroll Fired from Elle

In February 2020, E. Jean Carroll was fired from Elle. She claimed it was due to Donald Trump's ridicule, while Elle maintained it was a business decision.

September 2020: DOJ Asserts Trump Acted in Official Capacity

In September 2020, Department of Justice lawyers asserted that Donald Trump acted in his official capacity when responding to E. Jean Carroll's accusations, attempting to move the case to federal court.

October 2020: Motion Rejected by Judge Kaplan

In October 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis A. Kaplan rejected the DOJ's motion, arguing that the president is not a government employee and Trump's comments were not related to his job, keeping Carroll's lawsuit alive.

June 2021: DOJ Argues to Defend Trump

In June 2021, the DOJ argued to the Second Circuit appeals court that DOJ lawyers should defend Trump as a federal employee in the defamation case brought by 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 Trump to be shielded by his former office as U.S. president.

November 24, 2022: Carroll Sues Trump for Battery

On November 24, 2022, E. Jean Carroll sued Trump for battery in New York under the Adult Survivors Act and made a renewed claim of defamation, citing statements Trump made in October.

January 2023: Oral Arguments in D.C. Appeals Court

In January 2023, the District of Columbia (D.C.) appeals court held oral arguments regarding the scope of Trump's employment, and whether his comments fell within that scope.

February 2023: Trial Date Scheduled

In February 2023, Judge Kaplan scheduled the trial date for April 25 for E. Jean Carroll's lawsuit against Donald Trump.

April 13, 2023: Carroll Discloses Funding from Reid Hoffman

On April 13, 2023, E. Jean Carroll disclosed that part of her legal expenses were funded by Reid Hoffman, a co-founder of LinkedIn, venture capitalist, and donor to the Democratic Party.

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. Carroll was awarded $5 million in damages.

May 11, 2023: Trump Appeals Verdict

On May 11, 2023, Donald Trump filed an appeal with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals following the verdict that found him liable for sexual abuse, battery, and defamation.

May 23, 2023: Carroll Seeks Additional Damages

On May 23, 2023, E. Jean Carroll requested the court to expand the 2019 defamation lawsuit to include Trump's post-verdict remarks on CNN and Truth Social, seeking $10 million in additional damages.

June 2023: Trump Counter-Sues Carroll

In June 2023, Donald Trump counter-sued E. Jean Carroll for defamation, after she told CNN "yes he did" rape her, in response to a question about the jury not finding him liable for that offense. Judge Kaplan dismissed the lawsuit in August.

July 19, 2023: Judge Kaplan Finds Trump Did Rape Carroll

On July 19, 2023, Judge Kaplan found that Donald Trump did rape E. Jean Carroll as the term is understood "in common modern parlance", although not “in the narrow, technical meaning of a particular section of the New York Penal Law”.

September 2023: Summary Judgment for Carroll

In September 2023, Judge Kaplan issued a summary judgment in E. Jean Carroll's favor, stating that the facts established by the trial jury were indisputable.

January 15, 2024: Second Defamation Trial Scheduled

On January 15, 2024, the second defamation trial stemming from E. Jean Carroll's lawsuit against Donald Trump was scheduled to begin.

January 16, 2024: Ex-Trump Attorney Comments on Cross-Examination

On January 16, 2024, ex-Trump attorney Tim Parlatore said that he thought Joe Tacopina, another Trump attorney who had just dropped his representation, had "barely cross-examined Jean Carroll" in prior proceedings.

January 26, 2024: Trump Found Liable for Defamation, Additional Damages Awarded

On January 26, 2024, a jury found Donald Trump liable for defamation against E. Jean Carroll regarding his remarks after the first verdict. She was awarded an additional $83.3 million in damages, and Trump appealed the verdict and posted a $91.6 million bond.

March 8, 2024: Trump Appeals and Posts Bond

On March 8, 2024, three days before the payment deadline, Donald Trump appealed the verdict in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case and posted a $91.6 million bond.