Donald Trump Has Been Accused Of Rape
Trump has denied the allegation.
American advice columnist E Jean Carroll has accused US President Donald Trump of raping her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s, describing the alleged assault in graphic detail in a cover story in New York Magazine.
The following article contains descriptions of sexual assault
According to Carroll, she encountered Trump in Manhattan department store Bergdorf Goodman “in the fall of 1995 or the spring of 1996”. She says the real estate tycoon recognised her as “that advice lady” and asked her to help him pick out a gift for “a girl”. They made their way to the lingerie section, where Trump said Carroll should try on a lacy bodysuit, to which she replied that he should try it on himself.
They then went into a dressing room, where Carroll says Trump forced himself on her. She describes him pushing her against the wall, pulling down her tights, “forcing his fingers around my private area” and thrusting “his penis halfway — or completely, I’m not certain — inside me”. She says she fought him and eventually managed to flee, and that the alleged assault lasted “no more than three minutes”.
Carroll, now aged 75, didn’t report the alleged assault to police, but says she told two friends about it at the time, which New York Magazine confirmed. She said she didn’t come forward with her story until now because she feared how people would react.
“Receiving death threats, being driven from my home, being dismissed, being dragged through the mud, and joining the 15 women who’ve come forward with credible stories about how the man grabbed, badgered, belittled, mauled, molested, and assaulted them, only to see the man turn it around, deny, threaten, and attack them, never sounded like much fun,” she said.
In a statement, Donald Trump denied having ever met Carroll (despite having been photographed with her in the 1980s) and said she was simply trying to drum up publicity for her new book.
“Shame on those who make up false stories of assault to try to get publicity for themselves,” he said. “Worse still for a dying publication to try to prop itself up by peddling fake news.”
Trump also suggested Carroll’s allegations may be part of a conspiracy being driven by his political opponents.
“If anyone has information that the Democratic Party is working with Ms. Carroll or New York Magazine, please notify us as soon as possible,” he said.
The White House today issued a statement from President Trump denying that he ever met E. Jean Carroll in his life. Here’s the @NYMag photo of the two of them talking in 1987 pic.twitter.com/RqVH4Qe2mx
— David Frum (@davidfrum) June 21, 2019
The encounter with Trump is one of a number of alleged assaults Carroll describes in the New York Magazine article. Another incident involved disgraced media mogul Les Moonves, who Carroll accused of molesting her in a lift in 1997. Moonves, who resigned as CEO of US TV network CBS in 2018 after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct, responded through a spokesperson who said he “emphatically denies” Carroll’s allegation.
Carroll is the latest in a long list of women to accuse Donald Trump of sexual harassment or assault. He has repeatedly denied all such allegations.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.