Donald Trump lawyer cross-examines E. Jean Carroll over rape allegations in heated trial exchange

New York, New York - Writer E. Jean Carroll was cross-examined by Donald Trump's lawyers on Thursday in her ongoing defamation case against the former president, and things got a bit tense in the courtroom.

Thursday marked day three of E. Jean Carroll's (r.) defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump, where Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina (l.) set out to discredit her rape allegations.
Thursday marked day three of E. Jean Carroll's (r.) defamation lawsuit against Donald Trump, where Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina (l.) set out to discredit her rape allegations.  © Collage: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

On day three of the trial, and Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina set out to further discredit Carroll's allegations by attempting to snag her in a few "gotcha" moments that ultimately fell flat.

According to the Daily Beast, Tacopina began on Thursday by pressing her on what he described as "the story about your supposedly being raped" by Trump in the changing room at a Bergdorf Goodman clothing store, which she claims happened in 1996.

"Not supposedly. I was raped," Carroll responded, later adding, "Those are the facts."

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Trump vehemently denies the accusation and has publically taken shots at her over it.

As he did in day one of the trial, Tacopina then went on to challenge her on why she didn't come forward after the alleged incident.

Carroll explained that, at the time, she was caring for her mother, who was on her deathbed. At the age of 97, her mother passed away, a month before the elections.

"So why didn't you come out with the story after your mother passed away before he was elected?" Tacopina asked, to which Carroll explained she was "in deep, incredible, painful mourning."

Trump lawyer attempts to find inconsistencies in E. Jean Carroll's claims

Donald Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina (l.) challenged E. Jean Carroll on many aspects of her story in an attempt to discredit it in a Manhattan court on Thursday.
Donald Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina (l.) challenged E. Jean Carroll on many aspects of her story in an attempt to discredit it in a Manhattan court on Thursday.  © REUTERS

Tacopina made multiple attempts to find plot holes in Carroll's story, pushing her on specific details that she has admitted to forgetting, such as the exact date of the incident, what she was wearing, and what was said that day.

In one shameless exchange, Tacopina aggressively pressed Carroll on why she didn't scream during the incident.

Carroll grew frustrated with Tacopina's insinuation that all sexual assault victims scream, and argued that "I don't need an excuse for not screaming."

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"I'm telling you, he raped me, whether I screamed or not!" she exclaimed.

She went on to explain that "one of the reasons [women] don't come forward is they are asked why they didn't scream. Some women scream, some women don't. It keeps women silent."

AP News reported that Trump, who still maintains that the alleged encounter "never happened," did not mention Carroll or the trial at his rally on Thursday night in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Donald Trump has been a no-show for the trial, but he can still testify before it is over if he chooses to make an appearance.

Cover photo: Collage: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire

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