NYC jury shown clips of Trump deposition at civil rape trial

Former President Donald Trump called E. Jean Carroll’s rape allegation against him the “most ridiculous, disgusting story” when questioned by her lawyers, according to a tape of his deposition played in Manhattan federal court Wednesday.

Trump — who will not be attending any of the trial — said during the Oct. 19, 2022 deposition that if the rape did happen “it would have been reported in minutes.”

“It’s the most ridiculous, disgusting story,” Trump said to Carroll’s lawyer during the questioning.

“It’s just made up.”

Carroll’s attorneys began playing clips of the deposition in the ongoing trial over the former journalist’s suit accusing Trump, 76, of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman fitting room, most likely in 1996.

Carroll, 79, also claims Trump defamed her when he denied he ever met her, called her a liar and said her allegations were a “hoax.”

During the questioning under oath, Trump said that he had read neither Carroll’s book nor the New York Magazine excerpt recounting the alleged sexual assault, both published in June 2019, when the former “Ask E. Jean” advice columnist first came forward with her claims.

Trump was confronted with his public denials of Carroll’s accusations, including saying that the writer wasn’t his “type.”


Donald Trump
A jury overseeing the civil rape trial against Donald Trump heard video clips of the former president getting questioned by E. Jean Carroll’s lawyers.
AP

E. Jean Carroll
Trump said during the deposition that if the rape did happen “it would have been reported in minutes.”
REUTERS

“Do you stand by that statement?” Carroll lawyer Roberta Kaplan asked the 45th president.

“Yes, I do,” Trump responded.

The clips of Trump’s deposition are expected to continue being played for the jury on Thursday morning.

Carroll’s lawyers are expected to finish calling their witnesses Thursday.


Roberta Kaplan, lawyer of former Elle magazine advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, questions trauma specialist Dr Leslie Lebowitz
Carroll’s attorneys began playing clips of the deposition in the ongoing trial over the former journalist’s suit accusing Trump, 76, of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman fitting room.
REUTERS

Trump’s lawyers have said he will not be calling any witnesses.

Judge Lewis Kaplan said he expects that jurors will begin deliberations on Tuesday.