Advice columnist E. Jean Carroll said she would not bring rape or sexual assault charges against President Trump because such an action would be disrespectful to migrant women being raped at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Carroll, 75, wrote a feature story for New York Magazine released Friday accusing Trump of raping her 23 years ago. Trump denied the accusation in a lengthy statement.
After coming public with her accusation, the Elle magazine advice columnist said she would not pursue them in court in a Friday interview with MSNBC, citing the migrant detention situation at the southern border.
“I would find it disrespectful to the women who are down on the border who are being raped around the clock down there without any protection,” Carroll said. “As you know, the women have very little protection there. It would just be disrespectful.”
Carroll was calling attention to the dark reality many female migrants from South and Central America face once they cross into the U.S. illegally and are held in border towns. A recent New York Times report highlighted how many cases of sexual assault among migrant women and girls go unreported and unprosecuted.
“Mine was three minutes. I’m a mature woman. I can handle it. I can keep going. You know my life has gone on. I’m a happy woman,” Carroll continued. “But for the women down there and, actually, around the world, you know, in every culture this is going on no matter high in society or low in society, it just seems disrespectful that I would bring … It just doesn’t make sense to me.”
.@Lawrence: “Would you consider bringing a rape charge against Donald Trump?”
E. Jean Carroll, who has accused the president of sexual assault: “No.” pic.twitter.com/LVqdigtVDt
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) June 22, 2019
The incident took place at the Bergdorf Goodman, an upscale Manhattan department store, according to Carroll’s account. Carroll said Trump assaulted her in a lingerie dressing room until she eventually managed to break free and escape.
Trump issued a statement denying the accusation and saying fake rape accusations are hurtful to rape victims. Trump also asked for evidence that Carroll and New York Magazine are working with Democrats to hurt his reelection campaign.
“Shame on those who make up false stories of assault to try to get publicity for themselves, or sell a book, or carry out a political agenda — like Julie Swetnick who falsely accused Justice Brett Kavanaugh,” Trump said. “It’s just as bad for people to believe it, particularly when there is zero evidence. Worse still for a dying publication to try to prop itself up by peddling fake news — it’s an epidemic.”
Trump as been accused of sexual misconduct by at least 20 women, many of whom came forward over the past few years. Trump and officials from the White House have categorically denied all allegations.
New York Magazine corroborated Carroll’s allegation with two unnamed sources who claimed Carroll told them of the incident soon after it happened. One advised her to file a police report and the other told her to keep quiet. Fearing retribution for speaking out, Carroll said she decided to move on.
