Civil rape case against Donald Trump begins in Manhattan court

E. Jean Carroll’s accusation that Donald Trump raped her is not “he said, she said” dispute, the lawyer representing the author said that it is a civil trial through the actions of the former US president that was carried out almost thirty years ago.

Shawn Crowley, who represents the former Elle magazine advice columnist, said during his opening statement that Trump “slammed Ms. Carroll against the wall” and “pressed his lips to her,” an account that other witnesses were prepared to verify.

“This is not a ‘he said, he said’ case,” Crowley said in federal court in Manhattan.

Joe Tacopina, an attorney for Trump, argued in his opening statement that the evidence would show that his client did not attack Carroll.

Tacopina also asked jurors to put aside any feelings they might have about Trump, who has long inspired strong opinions from supporters and opponents across the political spectrum.

“You can hate Donald Trump. That’s okay…. But there’s a secret time and place for that. It’s called the ballot box in the election. It’s not here in court,” said Tacopina. “No one is above the law, but no one breaks the law.”

‘not my type’

Crowley and Tacopina spoke after US District Judge Lewis Kaplan sat nine jurors who will decide whether Trump raped Carroll in the dressing room of a department store in the mid-1990s, and then defamed him by denying it happened.

In an October 2022 post on the Truth Social platform, Trump, 76, called Carroll’s rape claims a “hoax” and a “complete scam,” said she was promoting her memoir, and declared that Carroll was “not my type!”

When questioned under oath in October, he mistakenly identified Carroll in a photograph as his ex-wife Marla Maples.

Carroll, 79, is seeking unspecified damages for what he called significant pain and suffering, lasting psychological harm and invasion of privacy.

They called for a new New York state law that gives victims of adult sexual abuse a one-year window to sue their alleged attackers even after the statute of limitations has expired.

The trial is expected to last one to two weeks. Trump’s lawyers will also give opening statements.

Warning about disturbing statements

Carroll’s case is one of many lawsuits and investigations facing Trump, the Republican front-runner in the 2024 presidential race. It could be politically damaging as witnesses discuss alleged sexual acts, all of which he denies.

The trial began on the same day that US President Joe Biden, a Democrat, said he would seek a second four-year term in the White House.

Trump has long inspired strong feelings from supporters and opponents across the political spectrum.

Before the jury’s questioning began, Kaplan ordered attorneys for Trump and Carroll to tell their clients and witnesses not to make statements that could “incite violence or civil unrest.”

He asked prospective jurors whether they agree with Trump that the 2020 presidential election is rigged, or think the #MeToo movement — which Carroll said inspired him to move forward — will undermine impartiality. No one spoke.

Kaplan also made jurors anonymous from the public and lawyers, to protect them from potential interference by Trump supporters, and even advised jurors not to use their real names when speaking to one another.

“If you’re usually Bill and you’re picked for jury duty or before, you can be John for a few days,” the judge told prospective jurors.

Trump is not in court

Trump is not in court and is not required to attend court. He also cannot testify, according to lawyers for both sides.

The former president has repeatedly attacked Carroll and in private terms, once called her mentally ill, since she was first accused of rape in June 2019.

Carroll said his meeting with Trump at the Bergdorf Goodman store happened in late 1995 or early 1996.

She said Trump recognized her, called her an “advice woman,” and asked her to help buy gifts for other women.

Carroll said Trump then “manoevred” her into the dressing room and closed the door, forced her against the wall, pulled down her tights and penetrated her. He said he broke up after two to three minutes.

Her witness list included two friends she said she believed after the attack: author Lisa Birnbach and former news anchor Carol Martin. It also includes two other women who have accused Trump of sexual misconduct, allegations Trump also denies.

The jury is also expected to hear 2005 Access Hollywood Trump’s tape made graphic, vulgar comments about women.

Trump’s lawyers may try to undermine Carroll’s credibility by noting that he did not call the police, has remained silent in public for more than two decades and cannot remember the date or even the month of the alleged assault.

Other legal issues facing Trump include criminal charges by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg over payments to porn stars.

Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges on April 4 in a New York courtroom, a three-minute walk from Tuesday’s hearing.

The former president also faced:

• Civil fraud charges by New York Attorney General Letitia James against a company named.
• Criminal investigation for interference in the 2020 Georgia presidential race.
• A criminal investigation into classified government documents found at his Mar-a-Lago home.
• Questions about his role in the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

In all of these cases, Trump has denied wrongdoing.

Carroll also sued Trump for defamation after he denied the rape claim in June 2019, while he was still president. The case is still pending before Kaplan.