Trump Civil Rape Trial Begins

Facts

• The civil trial over allegations that former Pres. Donald Trump raped former Elle Magazine advice columnist E. Jean Carroll at the NYC Bergdorf Goodman store in the 1990s began in New York on Tuesday.¹
• Carroll's attorney, Shawn Crowley, opened proceedings by describing her claim that Trump locked her inside a changing room and forced her into sexual intercourse as she resisted. Her claims will be supported by the testimony of two friends, whom she told shortly after the alleged assault, as well as two former Bergdorf employees.²
• Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina portrayed Carroll's claim as a "sick story" and reassured the jury that they can side in his favor without liking the defendant. He also claimed that Carroll's lawsuit was motivated by money and politics, and questioned her claim that no shoppers or employees were present to witness the rape.³
• This lawsuit, which revolves around an October 2022 social media post in which Trump denied knowing Carroll, follows a previous suit filed by Carroll in which she alleged Trump defamed her by denying the allegation.⁴
• During her testimony on Wednesday, Carroll began crying as she alleged that Trump closed the door and "shoved" her against the wall twice before assaulting her. She added that she "can still feel the pain" and continues to have visions of the encounter.⁵
• The lawsuit was filed under New York's 2022 Adult Survivors Act, which introduced a one-year period for victims to file sexual assault lawsuits in the state over claims that would have otherwise exceeded the statute of limitations.¹

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²NPR Online News, ³POLITICO, ⁴ITN, and ⁵New York Post.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by New York Times. The extent of Trump's fear over this lawsuit is evident in the intimidation tactics he's used against Carroll multiple times throughout the controversy. His repeated disregard for trial rules has included defaming Carroll and her attorneys as "political operatives," as well as raising the possibility of using DNA evidence, which the judge has said might suggest he's "tampering" with the legal process. Trump is digging himself into a hole with the public and the judicial system.
• Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Washington Examiner. Trump has the right to an impartial trial, but the ongoing politically charged media frenzy makes the jury ripe for prejudice — an environment Democrats are seemingly willing to exploit in order to further their persecution of Trump. This is why Tacopina's request for a delay in the trial was completely legitimate and should have been considered seriously. A Trump-hating New York jury could fall for any story told about him given the way society and the media portray the former president.

Predictions