In the mid-1990s, E. Jean Carroll was a prominent figure in New York City—a gonzo journalist and beloved advice columnist for Elle magazine, where she was affectionately known as "Auntie E." Her daily cable TV advice show added to her fame, making her instantly recognizable. When Donald Trump spotted her at Bergdorf Goodman one evening, he quipped, "Hey, you're that advice lady!" She was 52 at the time.
I admit I didn't know who E. Jean Carroll was when I saw her on the cover of New York magazine in 2019, recounting that encounter with Trump and alleging it led to a sexual assault. By then, Trump was president. After the article, Trump denied her account, and she sued him for defamation. In 2022, under New York's Adult Survivors Act, she added a battery claim.
In 2019, I reached out to her about making a documentary. My gut told me her voice was crucial in the #MeToo era. I had no idea of the terrifying ride ahead with E. Jean and her lead attorney, Robbie Kaplan, witnessing the challenges of crossing Trump—a phenomenon I call the Trump effect.
We spent the pandemic getting to know each other, and I filmed her preparing for trial. Her lawyers were wary of the camera, fearing Trump's claims that she was seeking attention. I attended the 2023 trial as an observer. On day three, when a lawyer asked if anyone had approached her about a documentary, she said yes, many had, but she only chose me. I was trembling when she said my name.
The jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding E. Jean $5 million. The next day, Trump mocked her on CNN, calling her a "wack job" and questioning her motives. Through it all, E. Jean taught me not to be afraid.