E. Jean Carroll: Trump Will Not Win His Hush Money Case
E. Jean Carroll, the former Elle magazine columnist who accused Donald Trump of sexual assault in the 1990s, believes that the jury in his criminal hush money trial will deliver a guilty verdict. Carroll, who has won two previous defamation lawsuits against Trump, told TIME that she has confidence in the New York jury, which she described as “the smartest in the world” with diverse political backgrounds.
Carroll’s testimony was a key factor in the jury’s decision to award her nearly $100 million in damages in one of the defamation trials, and she expressed confidence that the jury in the hush money case will reach a similar verdict. Trump, who is appealing the defamation rulings, has denied any wrongdoing and has called the hush money case a “hoax.”
During the criminal trial, Trump’s defense team argued that the payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal were not illegal campaign contributions but were instead reimbursements for legal fees incurred in connection with the nondisclosure agreements they signed. However, the prosecution presented evidence that Trump was personally involved in the payments and that they were made to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.
The jury is expected to begin deliberations soon, and a guilty verdict could have significant implications for Trump’s political future. The hush money case is only one of several legal challenges that Trump is facing. He is also being investigated for his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and he is facing a defamation lawsuit from a former contestant on “The Apprentice.”
Timeline of Events
* 1990s: E. Jean Carroll alleges that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in a dressing room of a Manhattan department store.
* 2016: Trump is elected President of the United States.
* 2018: Carroll publishes an op-ed in The New York Times detailing her allegations against Trump.
* 2019: Trump denies the allegations and calls Carroll a “liar” and a “sleazebag.”
* 2020: Carroll files a defamation lawsuit against Trump.
* 2021: Trump is impeached by the House of Representatives for inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
* 2022: Trump is acquitted by the Senate.
* 2023: Trump is indicted on charges of hush money payments and campaign finance violations.
* 2024: Trump’s criminal trial begins.
Key Players
* E. Jean Carroll: Former Elle magazine columnist who alleges that Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s.
* Donald Trump: Former President of the United States who is accused of sexually assaulting Carroll and making hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.
* Stormy Daniels: Adult film star who alleges that she had an affair with Trump and was paid $130,000 to keep quiet about it.
* Karen McDougal: Former Playboy model who alleges that she had an affair with Trump and was paid $150,000 to keep quiet about it.
* Michael Cohen: Trump’s former personal attorney who pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations in connection with the hush money payments.
Legal Issues
* Defamation: The publication of a false statement that injures a person’s reputation.
* Campaign finance violations: Illegally contributing money to a political campaign.
* Hush money payments: Payments made to someone to keep them from talking about something.
Potential Outcomes
* Trump could be found guilty of hush money payments and campaign finance violations and sentenced to prison.
* Trump could be found not guilty and acquitted of all charges.
* The jury could reach a hung jury, in which case the trial would end in a mistrial.
* Trump could pardon himself before the trial ends.
Impact on Trump’s Political Future
A guilty verdict in the hush money case could have a significant impact on Trump’s political future. It could lead to his removal from office, and it could make it more difficult for him to run for president again in 2024. A not guilty verdict, on the other hand, could help Trump to rebuild his reputation and could increase his chances of winning the presidency again.
