The timeline of E. Jean Carroll's alleged sexual assault by Donald Trump has been a focal point of contention, characterized by shifting dates and scrutiny over a key witness's prior interactions with Trump. Critics have highlighted what they describe as a "comedy of shifting dates" in Carroll's account, particularly concerning the timing relative to her friend Lisa Birnbach's February 1996 visit to Mar-a-Lago to interview Trump.
Initially, Carroll placed the alleged attack in late 1994 or 1995, later amending it to "’95–’96." The timing became critical due to Lisa Birnbach, whom Carroll stated she called immediately after the alleged incident. Birnbach had traveled to Mar-a-Lago in February 1996 for a New York magazine piece, offering a glowing review of Trump. This raised questions about the consistency of Carroll's narrative.
Carroll's logic, as cited in the tweet, was that "Lisa never would have gone down there if she knew what Trump had done to me." This implied the alleged assault must have occurred after February 1996. However, under cross-examination, Carroll reportedly wavered again, stating, "I’m not sure… my best guess is spring of 1996… although it possibly could have been in the fall of 1995." These varying statements regarding the date of the alleged assault have been a key argument for those questioning the credibility of her claims.
Despite these timeline inconsistencies, Lisa Birnbach testified in court that Carroll called her "breathless, hyperventilating, emotional" in spring 1996, describing Trump pinning her to a changing room wall and assaulting her. Birnbach stated she urged Carroll to go to the police, but Carroll refused. The jury in the May 2023 civil trial found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, awarding her $5 million in damages. A subsequent January 2024 trial awarded Carroll an additional $83.3 million in damages for defamation.
