US President Donald Trump's Justice Department is going after E. Jean Carroll, a former columnist whom the POTUS was found to have sexually assaulted in the 1990s. The DoJ has launched a criminal probe into Carroll, US media reported late Wednesday (May 27). Trump, who is currently serving as the US president for the second time, has repeatedly urged his Justice Department to take action against his enemies. The latest investigation is set to focus on whether the former columnist committed perjury in her two civil lawsuits against the businessman turned politician. &nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/snake-oil-salesman-removing-snakes-rfk-jr-shares-video-grabbing-live-snakes-with-bare-hands-sparks-backlash-1779861574927">‘Snake oil salesman removing snakes’: RFK Jr shares video grabbing live snakes with bare hands, sparks backlash</a><h2>Who is E. Jean Carroll?</h2>E. Jean Carroll is an American Journalist and former advice columnist who won two high-profile civil lawsuits against Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation.In November 2019, she sued Trump under New York's Adult Survivors Act, accusing him of raping her in a department store dressing room in Manhattan in the 1990s. Subsequently, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse. In the second case, she accused Trump of defamation over his malicious public comments denying the assault and defaming her. Trump had publicly sought to describe Carroll as "not his type" and had claimed that she was concocting the abuse to boost her book sales. Carroll won this case as well.Across both civil cases, Carroll was awarded a combined $88.3 million in damages.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/self-proclaimed-simpson-s-prophet-who-predicted-trump-s-presidency-now-wants-to-become-president-himself-1779875535562">Self-proclaimed Simpson's 'prophet' who predicted Trump's presidency makes prediction about 2028 US elections</a><h2>Trump's DoJ to probe his victim</h2>According to reports by CNN and The New York Times, federal investigators are now examining whether Carroll committed perjury during testimony connected to her two civil lawsuits against Trump.The investigation reportedly centres around a 2022 deposition in which Carroll stated that she had not received outside funding for her legal battle against Trump. It was later revealed that some legal expenses were reportedly backed by billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.CNN reported that the criminal inquiry is being handled through the US Attorney’s Office in Chicago. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has reportedly recused himself because he previously worked on one of Trump’s appeals linked to the Carroll cases. &nbsp;

Donald Trump’s Justice Department has reportedly launched a criminal probe into E. Jean Carroll, the columnist who successfully sued him for sexual abuse and defamation. The investigation is now focusing on whether she lied under oath. Why is Trump’s DoJ targeting Carroll now? 

US President Donald Trump's Justice Department is going after E. Jean Carroll, a former columnist whom the POTUS was found to have sexually assaulted in the 1990s. The DoJ has launched a criminal probe into Carroll, US media reported late Wednesday (May 27). Trump, who is currently serving as the US president for the second time, has repeatedly urged his Justice Department to take action against his enemies. The latest investigation is set to focus on whether the former columnist committed perjury in her two civil lawsuits against the businessman turned politician. Also read | ‘Snake oil salesman removing snakes’: RFK Jr shares video grabbing live snakes with bare hands, sparks backlash Who is E. Jean Carroll? E. Jean Carroll is an American Journalist and former advice columnist who won two high-profile civil lawsuits against Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. In November 2019, she sued Trump under New York's Adult Survivors Act, accusing him of raping her in a department store dressing room in Manhattan in the 1990s. Subsequently, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse. In the second case, she accused Trump of defamation over his malicious public comments denying the assault and defaming her. Trump had publicly sought to describe Carroll as "not his type" and had claimed that she was concocting the abuse to boost her book sales. Carroll won this case as well. Across both civil cases, Carroll was awarded a combined $88.3 million in damages. Also read | Self-proclaimed Simpson's 'prophet' who predicted Trump's presidency makes prediction about 2028 US elections Trump's DoJ to probe his victim According to reports by CNN and The New York Times, federal investigators are now examining whether Carroll committed perjury during testimony connected to her two civil lawsuits against Trump. The investigation reportedly centres around a 2022 deposition in which Carroll stated that she had not received outside funding for her legal battle against Trump. It was later revealed that some legal expenses were reportedly backed by billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. CNN reported that the criminal inquiry is being handled through the US Attorney’s Office in Chicago. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has reportedly recused himself because he previously worked on one of Trump’s appeals linked to the Carroll cases.

Donald Trump’s Justice Department has reportedly launched a criminal probe into E. Jean Carroll, the columnist who successfully sued him for sexual abuse and defamation. The investigation is now focusing on whether she lied under oath. Why is Trump’s DoJ targeting Carroll now?&nbsp;

Trump’s Justice Department launches criminal probe against his sex assault victim E. Jean Carroll

(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) 
 
A second woman has now accused former United States President Donald Trump of molesting her on a New York City-bound jet back in 1979, on Tuesday (May 2). This comes amid the ongoing trial where Trump has been accused of sexual assault by writer E. Jean Carroll. During the hearing, a friend of Carroll also backed up the writer’s account of her being raped by Trump&nbsp;in a Manhattan department store.

Woman testifies against Trump&nbsp;

A woman named Jessica Leeds, from Asheville, North Carolina told jurors at the civil trial of Carroll’s lawsuit that Trump allegedly grabbed her chest and ran his hand up her skirt as they sat side by side in first class. Leeds said&nbsp;she was in her late 30s travelling&nbsp;from Dallas or Atlanta to New York’s LaGuardia Airport when "all of a sudden Trump decided to kiss me and grope me."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-raped-me-former-magazine-columnist-e-jean-carrolls-chilling-testimony-586494">‘Donald Trump raped me': Former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll's chilling testimony</a> 
 
"There was no conversation. It was like out of the blue. It was like a tussle,"&nbsp;said the 81-year-old, as quoted by the Associated Press.&nbsp;She added, “He was trying to kiss me, trying to pull me towards him. He was grabbing my breasts. It was like he had 40 zillion hands. It was like a tussling match between the two of us.”

Leeds said that after a few seconds, she wriggled free of Trump, and told him, “I don’t need this” before storming to the back of the plane, as per media reports.&nbsp;

This comes as another woman, who too was victimised, is expected to testify in the trial against the former president. Leeds was called to the witness stand by Carroll’s lawyers who are reportedly trying to prove that Trump has a history of assaulting women and that the writer’s case was not a one-off incident.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-writer-e-jean-carroll-testifies-in-her-lawsuit-against-donald-trump-586495">US writer E. Jean Carroll testifies in her lawsuit against Donald Trump</a>

However, this is not the first time that Leeds went public with her account of the alleged airplane assault. In an interview, the now 81-year-old spoke up about the incident during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign after he claimed that he had never touched women against their will.&nbsp;

Carroll’s friend testifies

Trump’s lawyer said the former president has decided against testifying. Meanwhile, the former president has repeatedly denied the women’s claims and said that these allegations are politically motivated. 
 
The former magazine advice columnist who first publicly aired her allegations against Trump in 2019, has accused the former president of raping her at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York. &nbsp; 
 
Carroll said after raping her, Trump defamed her when she spoke the truth. Carroll is suing Trump for battery and defamation in a civil trial. Carroll denied making up her claims to drive publicity for her memoir, “What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal,” during the cross-examination, on Monday.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-official-website-tries-to-discredit-rape-accuser-jean-carroll-claims-shes-a-sexual-harasser-587387">Trump’s official website tries to discredit rape accuser Jean Carroll, claims she’s a sexual harasser: Report</a>

Carroll’s friend, author Lisa Birnbach, told a jury in Manhattan federal court that she “vividly” remembers how one evening back in 1996, Carroll called her and said that Trump had just attacked her in a dressing room of the department store. Carroll told her Trump slammed her into the wall, pulled down her tights and “penetrated her with his penis.”

“I whispered, E. Jean, he raped you. You should go to the police,” Birnbach testified. According to the author, Carroll was emotional and hyperventilating on the phone. Birnbach testified that&nbsp;Carroll refused to go to the police and asked her to never tell anyone about the incident.

“Instead of wallowing, she puts on lipstick, dusts herself off and moves on,” said Birnbach, about why her Carroll&nbsp;stayed silent about the alleged assault for decades.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) A second woman has now accused former United States President Donald Trump of molesting her on a New York City-bound jet back in 1979, on Tuesday (May 2).

(Trigger warning: Some readers may find details of this report disturbing. Discretion is advised.) A second woman has now accused former United States President Donald Trump of molesting her on a New York City-bound jet back in 1979, on Tuesday (May 2). This comes amid the ongoing trial where Trump has been accused of sexual assault by writer E. Jean Carroll. During the hearing, a friend of Carroll also backed up the writer’s account of her being raped by Trump in a Manhattan department store. Woman testifies against Trump A woman named Jessica Leeds, from Asheville, North Carolina told jurors at the civil trial of Carroll’s lawsuit that Trump allegedly grabbed her chest and ran his hand up her skirt as they sat side by side in first class. Leeds said she was in her late 30s travelling from Dallas or Atlanta to New York’s LaGuardia Airport when "all of a sudden Trump decided to kiss me and grope me." ALSO READ | ‘Donald Trump raped me': Former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll's chilling testimony "There was no conversation. It was like out of the blue. It was like a tussle," said the 81-year-old, as quoted by the Associated Press. She added, “He was trying to kiss me, trying to pull me towards him. He was grabbing my breasts. It was like he had 40 zillion hands. It was like a tussling match between the two of us.” Leeds said that after a few seconds, she wriggled free of Trump, and told him, “I don’t need this” before storming to the back of the plane, as per media reports. This comes as another woman, who too was victimised, is expected to testify in the trial against the former president. Leeds was called to the witness stand by Carroll’s lawyers who are reportedly trying to prove that Trump has a history of assaulting women and that the writer’s case was not a one-off incident. ALSO WATCH | US writer E. Jean Carroll testifies in her lawsuit against Donald Trump However, this is not the first time that Leeds went public with her account of the alleged airplane assault. In an interview, the now 81-year-old spoke up about the incident during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign after he claimed that he had never touched women against their will. Carroll’s friend testifies Trump’s lawyer said the former president has decided against testifying. Meanwhile, the former president has repeatedly denied the women’s claims and said that these allegations are politically motivated. The former magazine advice columnist who first publicly aired her allegations against Trump in 2019, has accused the former president of raping her at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York. Carroll said after raping her, Trump defamed her when she spoke the truth. Carroll is suing Trump for battery and defamation in a civil trial. Carroll denied making up her claims to drive publicity for her memoir, “What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal,” during the cross-examination, on Monday. ALSO READ | Trump’s official website tries to discredit rape accuser Jean Carroll, claims she’s a sexual harasser: Report Carroll’s friend, author Lisa Birnbach, told a jury in Manhattan federal court that she “vividly” remembers how one evening back in 1996, Carroll called her and said that Trump had just attacked her in a dressing room of the department store. Carroll told her Trump slammed her into the wall, pulled down her tights and “penetrated her with his penis.” “I whispered, E. Jean, he raped you. You should go to the police,” Birnbach testified. According to the author, Carroll was emotional and hyperventilating on the phone. Birnbach testified that Carroll refused to go to the police and asked her to never tell anyone about the incident. “Instead of wallowing, she puts on lipstick, dusts herself off and moves on,” said Birnbach, about why her Carroll stayed silent about the alleged assault for decades. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Another woman accuses Trump of sexual assault; E. Jean Carroll’s friend testifies at trial

Few weeks before the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/us-election">US elections</a>, a former model,&nbsp;Amy Dorris, on Thursday made allegations against the US President&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;of sexual assault in New York.

However, Trump's campaign has denied these allegations, threatening a legal action against the British newspaper, The Guardian, who posted the original story.

"The allegations are totally false. We will consider every legal means available to hold The Guardian accountable for its malicious publication of this unsubstantiated story," said Jenna Ellis, a legal advisor to Donald Trump’s Re-election Campaign.

Forris has alleged that Trump&nbsp;assaulted her outside a bathroom in his VIP box at the US Open tennis tournament in 1997 by forcibly trying to kiss and grope her.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-sex-assault-allegation-made-against-trump-328256">Also read|&nbsp;New sex assault allegation made against Trump</a>

"He just shoved his tongue down my throat and I was pushing him off. And then that's when his grip became tighter and his hands were very gropey and all over my butt, my breasts, my back, everything," Dorris said in an interview.

"I was in his grip, and I couldn't get out of it," she added.

Dorris, at that time, was 24-years-old and Trump was 51-years-old and married to Marla Maples — his second wife.

The newspaper also published six pictures provided by Dorris from the day she was assaulted by Trump. She also provided the ticket to the tournament from that day.

Several Trump supporters accused Dorris of blaming Trump only for the sake of supporting opposition parties in the upcoming US elections. However, Dorris claims she wanted to raise her voice in 2016, but decided against it for the sake of her twin daughters who were very young to be subjected to the media and Trump administration's backlash. "Now I feel like my girls are about to turn 13 years old and I want them to know that you don't let anybody do anything to you that you don't want," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-elections-pence-aid-slams-trump-on-coronavirus-urges-people-to-vote-for-biden-328292">Also read|&nbsp;US elections: Pence aid slams Trump on coronavirus; urges people to vote for Biden</a>

Trump administration also rubbished the allegations stating there were no other witnesses to back these allegations. However, Guardian has stated that the newspaper&nbsp;interviewed several people who Dorris confided in during those days, and they supported the former model.

While the Trump camp is threatening a legal action against the newspaper, Guardian has issued a statement saying it stands by its report.

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This is not the first time Trump has been accused of sexual assault. Out of dozens of allegations, the allegations made by&nbsp;E. Jean Carroll, a popular columnist, made headlines. She accused him of raping her in a department store changing room in the mid-1990s. This allegation was brushed off by his camp back then too to help him win the elections.

A&nbsp;tape recording emerged from 2005 was also recovered in which before his 2016 elections in which he could be heard boasting about how his fame allowed him to "grab" women by the genitals when he wanted. Trump rubbished this proof as a&nbsp;"locker room banter", but later apologised when he saw the headlines affecting his election campaing in a negative manner.

No further comments have been issued by Dorris or Trump yet.

Few weeks before the US elections, a former model, Amy Dorris, on Thursday made allegations against the US President Donald Trump of sexual assault in New York. However, Trump's campaign has denied these allegations, threatening a legal action against the British newspaper, The Guardian, who posted the original story.

Few weeks before the US elections, a former model, Amy Dorris, on Thursday made allegations against the US President Donald Trump of sexual assault in New York. However, Trump's campaign has denied these allegations, threatening a legal action against the British newspaper, The Guardian, who posted the original story. "The allegations are totally false. We will consider every legal means available to hold The Guardian accountable for its malicious publication of this unsubstantiated story," said Jenna Ellis, a legal advisor to Donald Trump’s Re-election Campaign. Forris has alleged that Trump assaulted her outside a bathroom in his VIP box at the US Open tennis tournament in 1997 by forcibly trying to kiss and grope her. Also read| New sex assault allegation made against Trump "He just shoved his tongue down my throat and I was pushing him off. And then that's when his grip became tighter and his hands were very gropey and all over my butt, my breasts, my back, everything," Dorris said in an interview. "I was in his grip, and I couldn't get out of it," she added. Dorris, at that time, was 24-years-old and Trump was 51-years-old and married to Marla Maples — his second wife. The newspaper also published six pictures provided by Dorris from the day she was assaulted by Trump. She also provided the ticket to the tournament from that day. Several Trump supporters accused Dorris of blaming Trump only for the sake of supporting opposition parties in the upcoming US elections. However, Dorris claims she wanted to raise her voice in 2016, but decided against it for the sake of her twin daughters who were very young to be subjected to the media and Trump administration's backlash. "Now I feel like my girls are about to turn 13 years old and I want them to know that you don't let anybody do anything to you that you don't want," she said. Also read| US elections: Pence aid slams Trump on coronavirus; urges people to vote for Biden Trump administration also rubbished the allegations stating there were no other witnesses to back these allegations. However, Guardian has stated that the newspaper interviewed several people who Dorris confided in during those days, and they supported the former model. While the Trump camp is threatening a legal action against the newspaper, Guardian has issued a statement saying it stands by its report. × This is not the first time Trump has been accused of sexual assault. Out of dozens of allegations, the allegations made by E. Jean Carroll, a popular columnist, made headlines. She accused him of raping her in a department store changing room in the mid-1990s. This allegation was brushed off by his camp back then too to help him win the elections. A tape recording emerged from 2005 was also recovered in which before his 2016 elections in which he could be heard boasting about how his fame allowed him to "grab" women by the genitals when he wanted. Trump rubbished this proof as a "locker room banter", but later apologised when he saw the headlines affecting his election campaing in a negative manner. No further comments have been issued by Dorris or Trump yet.

Trump's campaign denies sexual assault allegations before US elections

Melania Trump threatened People Magazine and a former staff reporter with legal action late Thursday over &quot;false and completely fictionalised&quot; statements in the writer&#39;s account of Donald Trump forcing himself on her during a 2005 interview.

The Republican presidential candidate&#39;s wife denied that she encountered or conversed with writer Natasha Stoynoff in New York, tweeting a letter from her lawyer demanding a &quot;prominent retraction and apology&quot; of certain statements in the article, and threatening that Melania would otherwise &quot;consider her legal options.&quot;

&quot;The true facts are these: Mrs Trump did not encounter Ms Stoynoff on the street, nor have any conversation with her,&quot; lawyer Charles Harder wrote. &quot;The two are not friends and were never friends or even friendly.&quot;

His law firm requested that People and Stoynoff confirm within 24 hours that the demands were being met, saying &quot;failure to do so will require Mrs Trump to consider her legal options.&quot;

The letter did not dispute Stoynoff&#39;s allegations that Donald Trump forcibly kissed her during an interview for an article to mark his wedding anniversary with his then-pregnant third wife Melania in 2005.

&quot;I turned around, and within seconds he was pushing me against the wall and forcing his tongue down my throat,&quot; Stoynoff wrote, an account the Republican White House hopeful vehemently denied.

&quot;These vicious claims about me of inappropriate conduct with women are totally and absolutely false,&quot; he told a rally in West Palm Beach on Thursday.

At least six women have accused the New York mogul of making unwanted physical advances in accounts reported by The New York Times, NBC, People Magazine and others, most of them after he asserted during Sunday&#39;s presidential debate with his democratic rival Hillary Clinton that he had never sexually assaulted a woman.

He said his lawyers were preparing a lawsuit against The New York Times, which published the accounts of two women who accused him of groping and kissing them, unless the paper retracts its article.

In her People story, Stoynoff said she asked to be taken off the &quot;Trump beat&quot;, but later ran into the real estate magnate&#39;s wife in New York.

&quot;That winter, I actually bumped into Melania on Fifth Avenue, in front of Trump Tower as she walked into the building, carrying baby Barron,&quot; Stoynoff said. &quot;&#39;Natasha, why don&#39;t we see you anymore?&#39; (Melania Trump) asked, giving me a hug. I was quiet and smiled, telling her I&#39;d missed her, and I squeezed little Barron&#39;s foot.&quot;

The potential first lady&#39;s lawyer Charles Harder also represented former wrestler Hulk Hogan in his successful lawsuit against Gawker Media, which resulted in a $140 million jury award against the entertainment website for releasing a sex tape featuring Hogan and a friend&#39;s wife.

(AFP)

A former staffer of the magazine has accused Donald Trump of assaulting her in 2005

Melania Trump threatened People Magazine and a former staff reporter with legal action late Thursday over "false and completely fictionalised" statements in the writer's account of Donald Trump forcing himself on her during a 2005 interview. The Republican presidential candidate's wife denied that she encountered or conversed with writer Natasha Stoynoff in New York, tweeting a letter from her lawyer demanding a "prominent retraction and apology" of certain statements in the article, and threatening that Melania would otherwise "consider her legal options." "The true facts are these: Mrs Trump did not encounter Ms Stoynoff on the street, nor have any conversation with her," lawyer Charles Harder wrote. "The two are not friends and were never friends or even friendly." His law firm requested that People and Stoynoff confirm within 24 hours that the demands were being met, saying "failure to do so will require Mrs Trump to consider her legal options." The letter did not dispute Stoynoff's allegations that Donald Trump forcibly kissed her during an interview for an article to mark his wedding anniversary with his then-pregnant third wife Melania in 2005. "I turned around, and within seconds he was pushing me against the wall and forcing his tongue down my throat," Stoynoff wrote, an account the Republican White House hopeful vehemently denied. "These vicious claims about me of inappropriate conduct with women are totally and absolutely false," he told a rally in West Palm Beach on Thursday. At least six women have accused the New York mogul of making unwanted physical advances in accounts reported by The New York Times, NBC, People Magazine and others, most of them after he asserted during Sunday's presidential debate with his democratic rival Hillary Clinton that he had never sexually assaulted a woman. He said his lawyers were preparing a lawsuit against The New York Times, which published the accounts of two women who accused him of groping and kissing them, unless the paper retracts its article. In her People story, Stoynoff said she asked to be taken off the "Trump beat", but later ran into the real estate magnate's wife in New York. "That winter, I actually bumped into Melania on Fifth Avenue, in front of Trump Tower as she walked into the building, carrying baby Barron," Stoynoff said. "'Natasha, why don't we see you anymore?' (Melania Trump) asked, giving me a hug. I was quiet and smiled, telling her I'd missed her, and I squeezed little Barron's foot." The potential first lady's lawyer Charles Harder also represented former wrestler Hulk Hogan in his successful lawsuit against Gawker Media, which resulted in a $140 million jury award against the entertainment website for releasing a sex tape featuring Hogan and a friend's wife. (AFP)

Melania Trump threatens People Magazine with lawsuit