OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
E. Jean Carroll’s remark during “The Rachel Maddow Show” incited anger as it seemed to undermine her defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump.
In a defamation lawsuit, a federal jury recently ruled that Trump must pay Carroll $83.3 million in damages. This verdict was based on his denial of sexually assaulting her in the 1990s.
At another point in her media tour, Carroll was questioned by the MSNBC host regarding her previous statements implying that any funds she would receive from Trump would be allocated specifically to “help shore up women’s rights.”
“Yes, Rachel! Yes!” Carroll enthusiastically responded. “I had such, such great ideas for all the good I’m gonna do with this money.”
“First thing, Rachel, you and I are gonna go shopping!” she exclaimed. “We’re gonna get complete new wardrobes, new shoes, motorcycle for [Carroll’s attorney Shawn] Crowley, a new fishing rod for Robbie [Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan] — Rachel, what do you want? A penthouse? It’s yours, Rachel! Penthouse and France? You want France? You want to go fishing in France? No?”
As Maddow giggled at Carroll’s remarks, Carroll’s attorney jumped in and said, “That’s a joke.”
The video went viral after numerous individuals stated that her comments eroded her credibility.
Fox News contributor Joe Concha said, “If you needed any more proof this whole suit and verdict was a crock, here it is. And of course, Maddow still soaks it all up while not realizing how damaging this is.”
If you needed any more proof this whole suit and verdict was a crock, here it is.
And of course, Maddow still soaks it all up while not realizing how damaging this is. https://t.co/jrXBrP2XN0
— Joe Concha (@JoeConchaTV) January 30, 2024
“Rough night for MSNBC,” Outkick founder Clay Travis remarked.
“This shows exactly what’s wrong with the justice system. You’re claiming the harm to your reputation was so bad you need millions to compensate for it, then you make these types of jokes. This also paints real assault survivors in bad lights and makes them seem money hungry. Absolutely disgusting,” Independent Women’s Forum spokesperson Paula Scanlan wrote.
“She’s a nutball,” The Spectator contributing editor Stephen Miller said.
Radio host Rob O’Donnell explained, “Being in Law Enforcement and public safety for over 3 decades having worked special victims cases, this is not the mindset of a victim. No amount of money can ever make whole a true victim of sexual assault nonetheless make them giddy.”
“Deranged. Maddow served it up on a silver platter for E. Jean Carroll and she decided to be unhinged in her response,” conservative commentator Steve Guest wrote.
Carroll filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump for remarks he made in 2019 in which he vehemently denied her rape allegations.
A year ago, a New York City federal jury rendered a verdict that held Trump accountable for sexual abuse and defamation, but not for rape. The trial resulted in a $5 million payment obligation for the former president.
Carroll made an additional joke about how she would spend the money during her Monday night appearance on CNN, but she quickly clarified her remarks.
“We talk about it a lot. We will do good with that money. We are going to do — Trump has suggested we turn Trump Tower into an animal sanctuary, for instance. That was a joke. That was a joke,” Carroll said. “But no, we are inspired to not waste a penny over this, and we have some good ideas we are working on.”
Trump’s legal team plans to appeal the $83.3 million decision in the defamation lawsuit from Carroll.
As Breitbart News reported, a jury awarded “an additional $83.3 million to former advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who says former President Donald Trump damaged her reputation by calling her a liar after she accused him of sexual assault.”