Elizabeth Jean Carroll is a well-known American journalist and author, best known for her long-running advice column "Ask E. Jean" in Elle magazine. This popular column ran for over two and a half decades, from 1993 to 2019, cementing its place as one of the longest-running advice columns in American publishing history.
1963: Miss Indiana University
While attending Indiana University in 1963, E. Jean Carroll was crowned Miss Indiana University.
1964: Miss Cheerleader USA and "To Tell the Truth" Appearance
In 1964, E. Jean Carroll won the Miss Cheerleader USA title representing Indiana University. That same year, she appeared on the game show "To Tell the Truth."
1984: Carroll's First Marriage Ends in Divorce
E. Jean Carroll's first marriage to Stephen Byers ended in divorce in 1984.
1987: E. Jean Carroll and Donald Trump Photographed Together
A photograph surfaces of E. Jean Carroll socializing with Donald Trump in 1987. This followed Trump's denial of ever meeting Carroll after she accused him of sexual assault.
1990: Carroll's Second Marriage Ends in Divorce
In 1990, E. Jean Carroll's second marriage to John Johnson, an anchorman and artist, ended in divorce.
1993: "Ask E. Jean" Column Debut
E. Jean Carroll's famous "Ask E. Jean" advice column began its long run in Elle magazine in 1993, marking the start of one of the longest-running advice columns in American publishing.
1995: Alleged Sexual Assault at Bergdorf Goodman (Late 1995/Early 1996)
E. Jean Carroll alleges that in late 1995 or early 1996, Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York City.
1996: Alleged Sexual Assault at Bergdorf Goodman (Late 1995/Early 1996)
E. Jean Carroll alleges that in late 1995 or early 1996, Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York City.
June 21, 2019: E. Jean Carroll Publicly Accuses Donald Trump of Sexual Assault
On June 21, 2019, in an article published by New York magazine, E. Jean Carroll publicly accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in late 1995 or early 1996 at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City. She provided a more detailed account in her book "What Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal."
November 2019: Carroll Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Trump
In November 2019, E. Jean Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump in the New York Supreme Court, alleging that he had damaged her reputation and caused her emotional pain after she accused him of rape.
2019: Carroll Accuses Les Moonves of Sexual Assault
In 2019, E. Jean Carroll accused Les Moonves, then chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation, of sexual assault, alleging the incident occurred in the late 1990s. Moonves denied the allegation.
2019: Publication of "What Do We Need Men For?" and Sexual Assault Allegations
In 2019, E. Jean Carroll released her book "What Do We Need Men For?: A Modest Proposal." In the book, she accused Les Moonves and Donald Trump of sexual assault, which they both denied.
September 2020: Department of Justice Attempts to Intervene in Carroll Case
In September 2020, the Department of Justice, then under the Trump administration, attempted to move the defamation case to federal court, arguing that Trump's statements were made in his official capacity as president.
October 2020: DOJ's Motion to Move Case to Federal Court Rejected
In October 2020, U.S. District Court Judge Lewis A. Kaplan rejected the DOJ's attempt to move the case to federal court, stating that Trump's comments were not related to his job as president.
June 2021: DOJ Argues for Trump's Defense as Federal Employee
In June 2021, the Department of Justice argued before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that DOJ lawyers should be allowed to represent Trump as a federal employee in the defamation case.
September 27, 2022: Appeals Court Rules on DOJ Defense of Trump
On September 27, 2022, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it could not determine whether the District Court would allow Trump to be shielded from liability based on his former office as U.S. president.
November 24, 2022: Carroll Files New Lawsuit Against Trump for Battery
On November 24, 2022, E. Jean Carroll filed a new lawsuit against Donald Trump in New York, this time for battery, utilizing the Adult Survivors Act, which allowed sexual assault victims to file civil suits regardless of expired statutes of limitations. Carroll also included a renewed claim of defamation related to statements made by Trump in October 2022.
January 2023: D.C. Appeals Court Hears Oral Arguments
In January 2023, the District of Columbia (D.C.) appeals court heard oral arguments from both Trump's lawyers, who argued his comments fell within the scope of his employment, and opposing arguments that D.C. law holds employers responsible for employee actions that cause harm within the scope of their employment but not otherwise.
February 2023: Trial Date Set for Carroll's Battery and Defamation Lawsuit
In February 2023, Judge Kaplan set April 25, 2023 as the trial date for Carroll's battery and defamation lawsuit against Trump.
April 13, 2023: Carroll Discloses Funding Source for Legal Expenses
On April 13, 2023, E. Jean Carroll disclosed that Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and prominent Democratic donor, had helped fund her legal expenses in the case against Trump.
April 2023: Carroll's Residence as of April 2023
As of April 2023, E. Jean Carroll resided in upstate New York.
May 9, 2023: First Defamation and Sexual Abuse Verdict
On May 9, 2023, a jury found Donald Trump liable for defamation and sexual abuse against E. Jean Carroll. She was awarded $5 million in damages.
May 11, 2023: Trump Appeals Jury Verdict in Carroll Case
Following a jury verdict that found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, he filed an appeal with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals on May 11, 2023.
May 23, 2023: Carroll Seeks Additional Damages for Post-Verdict Remarks
On May 23, 2023, E. Jean Carroll filed a motion to expand the 2019 defamation lawsuit to include Trump's remarks made after the May 9th verdict, seeking an additional $10 million in damages. The motion was granted and the second defamation trial was set for January 15, 2024.
June 2023: Trump's Counter-Defamation Lawsuit Against Carroll Dismissed
In June 2023, Donald Trump countersued E. Jean Carroll for defamation after she stated on CNN that he did rape her. However, Judge Kaplan dismissed Trump's lawsuit in August, ruling that Carroll's claim against Trump was substantially true.
September 2023: Judge Issues Summary Judgment in Carroll's Favor
In September 2023, Judge Kaplan issued a summary judgment in favor of E. Jean Carroll, stating that the facts established by the jury in the first trial were indisputable.
January 15, 2024: Second Defamation Trial Against Trump Scheduled
The second defamation trial, focused on Trump's post-verdict remarks about Carroll, was scheduled for January 15, 2024.
January 16, 2024: Trump's Lawyer Comments on Prior Representation
On January 16, 2024, shortly before the start of the second defamation trial, Tim Parlatore, Trump's former attorney, commented that he believed Trump's previous lawyer, Joe Tacopina, had inadequately cross-examined E. Jean Carroll in earlier proceedings.
January 26, 2024: Second Defamation Verdict and Increased Damages
On January 26, 2024, a jury found Donald Trump liable for defamation against E. Jean Carroll related to remarks he made after the first verdict. Carroll was awarded an additional $83.3 million in damages. Trump appealed the verdict.
March 8, 2024: Trump Appeals Verdict and Posts Bond
On March 8, 2024, three days before the payment deadline, Donald Trump appealed the $83.3 million judgment against him and posted a $91.6 million bond to delay payment to E. Jean Carroll while the appeal is pending.