Former President Donald Trump took the stand on Thursday in the civil defamation damages trial related to E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit, in which she accused him of sexually attacking her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s. Trump, who vehemently denies the allegation, faced questioning from the defense regarding his deposition and his statements on social media.
During the trial, Trump confirmed that he saw his deposition played in court and stood by his statements, asserting his innocence “100 percent.” When asked if he had ever threatened Carroll in his tweets and social media posts, Trump replied, “No,” stating that he was only defending himself against what he believed to be a false accusation. However, the judge struck down statements from Trump that went beyond a simple yes or no answer.
Following his testimony, Trump expressed frustration, repeatedly stating, “This is not America.” E. Jean Carroll, the plaintiff, also arrived at the Manhattan federal court to testify about how Trump’s verbal attacks affected her after she came forward with her allegations.
Trump and his legal team have consistently maintained that Carroll’s allegations are fabricated, with the former president suggesting that she was motivated by a desire to sell copies of her book. Trump has also claimed that he has no knowledge of who Carroll is. Meanwhile, Carroll, now 79, maintains that Trump raped her at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan in 1996.
It is worth noting that a federal jury in New York City previously ruled that Trump was not liable for rape but was liable for sexual abuse and defamation, resulting in an order for him to pay $5 million in damages. In the ongoing trial, Trump recently posted images of Carroll’s tweets dating back to 2015 on his Truth Social account, attempting to undermine her credibility.
The trial is being presided over by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, and the proceedings are still ongoing. This story will be updated as new information becomes available.
Brooke Singman, a political correspondent and reporter for Digital, Channel, and FOX Business, is covering the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, including exclusive interviews and political content. Stay subscribed to receive the most recent news from the trial and other political developments.
