Fact Check: Is there evidence of Donald Trump molesting a 13-year-old?
What We Know
The claim that Donald Trump molested a 13-year-old girl primarily stems from a lawsuit filed in 2016 by an anonymous plaintiff known as "Katie Johnson." This lawsuit alleged that Trump raped her at a party in 1994 when she was a minor. However, the case was dismissed, and the plaintiff later withdrew her allegations, stating that she felt pressured and intimidated. The circumstances surrounding this lawsuit have been described as "bizarre" and politically motivated, with Trump's attorney asserting that the allegations were "unequivocally false" (Vox, Law & Crime).
In contrast, a separate case involving E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a department store in the mid-1990s, resulted in a jury finding Trump liable for sexual abuse in May 2023. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million, but they did not find sufficient evidence to support the claim that she was raped (AP News, New York Times). This case involved corroborative testimony from other women who alleged similar experiences with Trump, which helped establish a pattern of behavior (EVIDENCE, ADVOCACY, AND CARROLL V. TRUMP).
Analysis
The allegations regarding Trump molesting a 13-year-old are largely based on the now-dismissed lawsuit by "Katie Johnson." This case lacked substantive evidence and was characterized by the plaintiff's withdrawal under pressure, raising questions about its credibility. The legal community has largely viewed this lawsuit as politically motivated and lacking in merit (Law & Crime, Vox).
On the other hand, the E. Jean Carroll case involved a jury trial where the evidence presented included corroborative testimonies and Trump's own statements, which contributed to the jury's verdict of liability for sexual abuse. The jury's decision was based on a civil standard of proof, which is lower than that required in criminal cases (AP News, New York Times). The credibility of the witnesses and the corroborative nature of their testimonies provided a stronger foundation for the jury's decision compared to the allegations made in the Johnson case.
The sources discussing the Carroll case, including legal analyses, provide a more reliable account of Trump's behavior and the legal outcomes associated with it. In contrast, the allegations of molestation involving the 13-year-old girl have been dismissed and lack credible evidence (Reuters, Wikipedia).
Conclusion
The claim that there is evidence of Donald Trump molesting a 13-year-old is False. The allegations stem from a dismissed lawsuit that lacked credible evidence and was withdrawn by the plaintiff. In contrast, the E. Jean Carroll case, which resulted in a jury finding Trump liable for sexual abuse, does not support the claim of molestation of a minor. The two cases are distinct, and the evidence surrounding the Carroll case is significantly more robust and credible than that of the Johnson case.
Sources
- EVIDENCE, ADVOCACY, AND CARROLL V. TRUMP
- Fact Check: False posts say AP reported on Trump 'child molestation' charges
- Jury finds Trump liable for sexual abuse, awards E. Jean Carroll $5 million
- E. Jean Carroll v. Donald J. Trump
- Jury Finds Trump Liable for Sexual Abuse and Defamation
- About the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline
- Yes, Donald Trump Was Accused of Raping a 13 Year Old, But ...
- The lawsuit accusing Trump of raping a 13-year-old girl, explained
