E. Jean Carroll, who accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the early 1990s, is now facing a second defamation trial brought forth by Trump. In a Breitbart article published on Thursday, January 25, 2024, a significant revelation emerged, adding complexity to the ongoing legal dispute.
Carroll asserted that the dress she purportedly wore during the alleged incident did not exist at the time of the attack.
During the defamation trial, Trump’s lawyer, Boris Epshteyn, highlighted a crucial inconsistency in Carroll’s account. Epshteyn pointed out that Carroll insisted the dress she wore in 1994 was the same one worn during the alleged assault. However, upon investigation, it was revealed that the dress in question was not manufactured until after 1994. This revelation raises questions about the accuracy of Carroll’s account and introduces uncertainty into the timeline of the alleged incident.
Trump, maintaining his innocence throughout, seized on this development to challenge the credibility of Carroll’s accusations. Trump took to Truth Social, asserting that Carroll was forced to change her story on the dress, drawing parallels to the infamous Monica Lewinsky scandal.
In his social media posts, Trump emphasized the lack of concrete details in Carroll’s accusations, stating that he knew nothing about her until the lawsuit was filed, categorizing the claims as false accusations orchestrated by Democrat operatives.
The trial has evolved into a battleground where legal proceedings intersect with political affiliations. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, faces scrutiny for her ties to Democrat operatives, having previously led the group Time’s Up. Kaplan’s involvement in politically charged cases has prompted questions about the motivations behind her legal pursuits.
Federal District Judge Lewis Kaplan, overseeing the trial, has connections to Carroll’s co-counsel Shawn Crowley. Notably, Crowley served as a law clerk for Judge Kaplan, and her wedding was officiated by him. These connections add complexity to the trial, prompting observers to consider the potential influence of political affiliations on the legal proceedings.
Despite the absence of concrete evidence and Trump’s denial of any knowledge of Carroll, the judge ruled Trump’s past remarks against Carroll as defamatory. The ongoing trial now involves the jury determining the amount of damages to be awarded in this case. The intricacies of this legal battle underscore the challenges of navigating high-profile accusations, political entanglements, and the pursuit of justice within the legal system.
