In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.Three days after Donald Trump announced he was running for president again in November of 2022, a woman named E. Jean Carroll announced she was launching a civil suit against him, alleging that he had sexually assaulted her more than 30 years ago in a department store in New York. When the case finally went to trial, Carroll was asked a basic question by her attorney: “When do you believe Donald Trump assaulted you?”
“The question, the when, the when, the date, has been something I’m constantly trying to pin down,” she responded.
Carroll would go on to say the assault occurred in 1994. Or, she later wondered, maybe it was 1995. She finally landed on the year 1996, though she still can’t recall which season it occurred. For his part, Trump says it never happened and doesn’t remember even meeting Carroll at all.
E. Jean Carroll departs Manhattan federal appeals court following arguments in a judgement appeal brought by President Donald Trump, in New York City, September 6, 2024. (Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images)
