Donald Trump returns to court, charged with defamation in a rape case

First modification: 04/25/2023 – 16:12

With our correspondent Guillaume Naudin and AFP

This is a case that goes back almost 30 years and that came to light less than five years ago. Columnist and writer Jean Carroll accuses Donald Trump of having raped her.

According to her, in the mid-90s, she met a man, who was then still working in real estate, in a famous “department store” in New York. The encounter ended with a forced sexual encounter in a fitting room.

When she decided to come out of her silence, Donald Trump was already president and he fiercely denied it. She said that he didn’t even know his accuser. In her defense, he explained that she is not her type of woman, that she is mentally disturbed, and accused her of lying.

But, curiously, when faced with a photo in which he appeared with Mrs. Carroll at a reception in the 1990s, Mr. Trump had then confused her with his ex-wife, the comedian Marla Maples, 59, to whom he had been married since. 1993 to 1999.

A delicate legal case

This civil lawsuit is not for rape, but for defamation and injury. Jean Carroll asks for reparation and that Donald Trump withdraw his statements. The journalist plans to testify in person. For Donald Trump it is less safe. His attorney says he wants to do it, but he doesn’t want to burden New York City with the logistics of his presence at their recent court appearances.

It is a delicate legal case between Jean Carroll and the billionaire former president, who is surrounded by legal cases, including a historic criminal indictment in early April in New York for 34 accounting and tax frauds. At 76 years old, the former tenant of the White House (2017-2021) dreams of being re-elected in November 2024.

The civil trial, which could last between one and two weeks, was supposed to start on April 10, but was postponed until Tuesday, April 25.