Trump news — live: Trump won’t testify in E Jean Carroll trial as friend is ‘exhausted’ after appearing

Fellow Trump accuser Jessica Leeds recounted her experience of allegedly being assaulted by Donald Trump during a flight in the late 1970s at the civil rape trial instigated by a lawsuit by writer E Jean Carroll.

Ms Carroll is suing Mr Trump for battery and defamation after he allegedly raped her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in the 1990s. Ms Carroll ended her stint on the stand on Monday afternoon after three days of emotional testimony.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump’s lawyer said the former president would not testify in the trial.

Ms Leeds took the stand on Tuesday.

“I was invited up to the first-class cabin. I was the only woman there. Donald Trump introduced himself,” Ms Leeds said, later adding that he “grabbed me and groped me. It was like he had forty zillion hands. He put his hand up my skirt. That gave me a jolt. I wiggled out and stormed back to coach”.

Coming out of the court following her testimony on Tuesday, Jessica Leeds told The Independent: “I’m exhausted, I’m above it all and I hope I never have to tell my story again.”

Key points

Trump won’t attend trial, Carroll legal team to wrap up case by Thursday
‘She struck me as unusually vivacious and extroverted'
Jessica Leeds says ‘I hope I never have to tell my story again’
Trump’s comment ‘was like cold water over me,’ Leeds says
‘He pulled down my tights. He pulled down my tights'

WATCH: Trump poses for photographers to get perfect shot as he plays golf in Scotland

11:40 , Rachel Sharp

Biden invites House and Senate leaders to White House as debt limit crisis looms

11:00 , Andrew Feinberg and John Bowden

President Joe Biden will convene a meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to discuss how best to stave of a catastrophic default on America’s sovereign debt by raising the government’s statutory debt limit.

The White House said Mr Biden invited Mr McCarthy and Mr McConnell — the top Republicans in the House and Senate — to the meeting in separate phone calls to each GOP leader on Monday.

The meeting, which is set to take place on 9 May, was announced by the White House just hours after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen sent a letter to House and Senate leaders warning that the US could suffer an unprecedented default on its’ debt as soon as 1 June.

Ms Yellen urged Congress “to protect the full faith and credit of the United States by acting as soon as possible” to raise the statutory debt limit, which was first enacted more than a century ago to make it easier for the government to issue bonds without needing specific congressional authorisations each time it does so.

Biden invites House and Senate leaders to White House as debt limit crisis looms

Can Biden win again? Here’s how past incumbents fared: Harry Truman

10:00 , AP

HARRY TRUMAN

He was vice president when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in 1945, near the end of World War II. Truman decided to run for a full term of his own, and he announced his candidacy on March 8, 1948. He had an approval rating of 53% in a poll conducted two months earlier. Truman was expected to lose the general election to Thomas Dewey, a Republican, but he pulled off a narrow victory.

Truman announced on March 29, 1952, that he would not seek a second full term after losing in the New Hampshire primary to Sen. Estes Kefauver of Tennessee. His approval rating had sunk to 22% amid economic trouble and the Korean War.

Trump PAC complaint against DeSantis rejected in Florida

09:00 , AP

A Florida ethics board has dismissed a complaint that allies of former President Donald Trump filed against Republican rival Gov. Ron DeSantis, finding no legal basis for allegations that the governor violated campaign finance laws with a “shadow” run for the White House.

The Florida Commission on Ethics rejected the complaint in an order filed last week.

The Trump-supporting super PAC MAGA Inc. filed the complaint against DeSantis in March and asked the commission to investigate the governor for allegedly leveraging his office to enrich his national profile.

The ethics panel, which is appointed by DeSantis and the leaders of the state House and Senate, who are both allies of the governor, found no legal basis for the complaint’s allegations.

Trump PAC complaint against DeSantis rejected in Florida

Can Biden win again? Here’s how past incumbents fared: Dwight Eisenhower

08:00 , AP

DWIGHT EISENHOWER

Eisenhower, a Republican, had an approval rating of 75% shortly before he announced his reelection campaign on Feb. 29, 1956. He had suffered a heart attack months earlier at age 64, leading to questions over whether he would run.

As the former supreme allied commander during World War II, Eisenhower convinced Americans that he was the right leader on the world stage. He defeated Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson.

Can Biden win again? Here’s how past incumbents fared: LBJ

07:00 , AP

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

Johnson was vice president at the time of Kennedy’s death, and he swiftly ran for his first full term in 1964, winning a landslide victory over Republican Barry Goldwater. However, the Democrat’s popularity slipped badly over the Vietnam War and domestic turmoil.

It became clear that Johnson was at risk of losing his party’s nomination in 1968 after Eugene McCarthy’s strong showing in the New Hampshire primary. Soon after, Johnson shocked the country by announcing on March 31, 1968, that he would not seek a second term. His approval rating was only 36% that month.

CNN slammed for Trump town hall

06:00 , Gustaf Kilander

CNN has been slammed for holding a town hall with Donald Trump on 10 May.

“CNN is doing a town hall with indicted Donald Trump on May 10, because they’ve learned absolutely nothing. No one should watch this trash,” journalist Scott Dworkin said. “This is absolutely ludicrous. There is no reason to give the biggest pathological liar in politics a platform to spread his bullshit. Trump doesn’t belong on television. He belongs in prison.”

MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan said “they’re giving a live primetime platform to an indicted insurrection-inciter, who also incited violence against their network. I was asked multiple times on my recent book tour whether the US media had learned lessons from 2016 and 2020. Clearly some in our media have not.”

“Listen. Our media is absolutely addicted to Donald Trump and the ratings and money his chaos creates,” wrote Jared Yates Sexton. “This is a broken system, through and through, and we have to stop expecting these corporations to value democracy or people’s lives over their own bottom line.”

Jim Sciutto announces CNN's Trump town hall pic.twitter.com/paK11IVeMz
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 1, 2023

Can Biden win again? Here’s how past incumbents fared: Nixon and Ford

05:00 , AP

RICHARD NIXON

Nixon had an approval rating of 50% when he announced his reelection campaign on Jan. 7, 1972. The Watergate break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters occurred that summer, but the scandal didn’t gain enough momentum to drag him down.

Nixon, a Republican, defeated George McGovern, a Democrat, in a landslide. However, he would not finish his second term, resigning in 1974 after revelations about Watergate caught up with him.

GERALD FORD

Ford, a Republican, became president when Nixon stepped down, and he announced that he would run for a full term of his own on July 8, 1975. He had a 52% approval rating the month before.

He faced discontent over inflation and controversy from his decision to pardon Nixon, and he lost the election to Jimmy Carter, a Democrat.

‘She’s not a victim. She doesn’t want anybody’s pity'

04:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Ms Birnbach said Ms Carroll’s 2019 book also included other sexual assault allegations, which she said she had never heard about before.

She said she wasn’t surprised that Ms Carroll didn’t tell her about those allegations because Ms Carroll is “a very up person”.

“She’s not a victim. She doesn’t want anybody’s pity,” she said, according to Law & Crime. “Instead of wallowing, she puts on lipstick, dusts herself off and moves on.”

Can Biden win again? Here’s how past incumbents fared: Carter and Reagan

04:00 , AP

JIMMY CARTER

Carter announced his reelection campaign on Dec. 4, 1979. His approval rating had just hit 51%. However, the American people had grown weary of inflation, an energy crisis and a hostage crisis in Iran. Carter was wounded by a primary challenge from Sen. Ted Kennedy, and he was ultimately defeated by Ronald Reagan, a Republican.

RONALD REAGAN

Reagan announced his reelection bid on Jan. 29, 1984. His approval rating was 52% that month. Despite concerns about his age — he was 73 and the oldest president in history at the time — Reagan handily defeated Walter Mondale, a Democrat.

Carroll’s friend became target of ‘pretty awful, antisemitic messages'

03:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Ms Birnbach said that she thought the book Ms Carroll was writing in 2017 was a “travelogue”.

She added that she became aware that it included Ms Carroll’s thoughts on her life when Ms Carroll sent the excerpt which included the alleged rape by Mr Trump in 2019, according to Law & Crime.

Ms Birnbach said Ms Carroll told her that fact-checkers from the magazine publishing the excerpt would contact her.

She added that Ms Carroll’s book said she called a friend after the incident, but Ms Birnbach’s name wasn’t mentioned. Ms Birnbach remembered telling Ms Carroll that she was brave and that the piece was good.

Ms Birnbach said she requested to stay out of the book to avoid the rage of Trump supporters.

She added that she agreed to be named by The New York Times as she thought Ms Carroll’s version of events would be stronger if she agreed to be identified.

Ms Birnbach said she then received “pretty awful, antisemitic messages” on Twitter from supporters of Mr Trump.

“The book made me a bit uncomfortable, and I never said it to her,” she said.

She noted that there was a stark contrast between Ms Carroll’s “hair-raising” experiences and the “breezy” writing style.

Can Biden win again? Here’s how past incumbents fared: HW Bush and Clinton

03:00 , AP

GEORGE H.W. BUSH

Bush’s popularity skyrocketed after the Gulf War, when U.S. forces pushed Iraq out of Kuwait. However, his approval rating had subsided to 65% by the time he announced his reelection campaign on Oct. 11, 1991.

Pat Buchanan challenged Bush in the Republican primary. Although Bush won the nomination, his shot at a second term dimmed amid an economic downturn. He ultimately lost to Bill Clinton, a Democrat.

BILL CLINTON

Clinton’s approval rating was 47% when he announced that he would run for reelection on April 14, 1995. Democrats had suffered a wipeout midterm election in 1994, leading some to question whether Clinton would be a one-term president. But he rebounded with the help of a growing economy, and he defeated Bob Dole, a Republican.

Birnbach was ‘surprised and upset’ at Trump 2016 win

02:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Ms Carroll’s counsel asked Ms Birnbach about her political affiliations, saying that she donated money to Hillary Clinton.

Asked about her whereabouts on election night 2016, she said she was at her apartment with 25 friends, including Ms Carroll, according to Inner City Press.

Ms Birnbach said she was “surprised and upset” at Mr Trump’s victory, according to Law & Crime.

Can Biden win again? Here’s how past incumbents fared: W Bush and Obama

02:00 , AP

GEORGE W. BUSH

The Sept. 11 attacks of 2001 led Bush, a Republican, to invade Afghanistan, followed by another war in Iraq. One month after U.S. forces entered Baghdad, Bush announced he would run for reelection on May 16, 2003. His approval rating was 69% that month. He defeated John Kerry, a Democrat.

BARACK OBAMA

Obama, a Democrat, had a 48% approval rating when he announced his reelection campaign on April 4, 2011. He struggled to convince Americans that the economy was improving after the financial collapse and subsequent recession, but he ultimately defeated Mitt Romney, a Republican.

‘He pulled down my tights. He pulled down my tights'

01:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Ms Birnbach spoke about her reaction to hearing that Ms Carroll joined Mr Trump in the lingerie department of the Berghof Goodman.

“I was surprised that she did that. I thought it was kind of nutty. I didn’t think it was dangerous because I had just spent a few days with him. He didn’t strike me as dangerous,” she said, according to Law & Crime.

According to Ms Birnbach, Ms Carroll repeatedly said, “He pulled down my tights. He pulled down my tights”.

The friend and witness said Ms Carroll seemed to be processing what had happened in real-time.

She added that Ms Carroll told her that Mr Trump penetrated her with his penis.

Ms Birnbach told the court that she told Carroll: “He raped you. I’ll take you to the police.”

According to Ms Birnbach, Ms Carroll replied: “We had a fight.”

Regarding the word “rape,” Ms Birnbach said Ms Carroll “did not like that word. She didn’t want me to say that word”.

“She said: ‘Promise me that you will never speak of this again, and promise me you’ll tell no one.’ And I promised her both of those things,” Ms Birnbach said.

Describing her current relationship with Ms Carroll, Ms Birnbach said: “We are very close, close, close friends.”

She added that she didn’t speak about the episode again with Ms Carroll until 2019 when Ms Carroll shared her allegation publically.

Can Biden win again? Here’s how past incumbents fared: Trump

01:00 , AP

DONALD TRUMP

Trump, a Republican, announced that he would run for reelection on June 18, 2019. The previous month, his approval rating was 41%. He was impeached for the first time at the end of the year, and then the coronavirus pandemic stalled the economy. Joe Biden, a Democrat, defeated Trump, who tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power.

JOE BIDEN

Biden announced his reelection campaign on April 25. His approval rating was 40% the previous month. Biden would be 86 at the end of a second term, leading to fears that he’s too old to keep such a demanding job.

However, Biden has not drawn any significant primary challengers. The only Democrats running are Marianne Williamson and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Meanwhile, Trump is leading in Republican primary polls as he seeks the party’s nomination, raising the potential for a rematch with Biden.

‘Lisa, you’re not going to believe what happened’’

Wednesday 3 May 2023 00:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Describing the moment that Ms Carroll called her about the alleged assault by Mr Trump, Ms Birnhbach said the call came between 6pm and 7pm and that she was feeding her children, aged three and seven, at the time of the call, according to Inner City Press.

“She said, ‘Lisa, you’re not going to believe what happened’. She was breathing hard. It sounded like she had a surge of adrenaline ... She told me her story, how they ended up in the lingerie department. I was surprised,” Ms Birnbach said.

She added that she thought it was “kinda nutty. She told me she told Donald Trump, ‘why don’t you try it on?’ They were in the dressing room and he slammed her against the wall and he slammed his arm and shoulder against her and pulled down her tights”.

CNN hit with backlash for hosting Trump town hall: ‘They learned absolutely nothing’

Wednesday 3 May 2023 00:00 , Namita Singh

CNN was hit with swift criticism on social media after the network announced it was hosting Donald Trump in a town hall forum next week in New Hampshire.

The event will be held May 10 at St Anselm College, where Mr Trump will take questions from New Hampshire Republicans and voters who plan to participate in the 2024 presidential primary, the network said.

Anchor Kaitlan Collins will moderate the session. The surprise appearance of the former president on the channel, which was often his favourite target for criticism, has left the internet divided.

While several Twitter users called out the network for providing a platform to the former president, accused of baselessly claiming that 2020 presidential elections were rigged, some commentators have seen this as an attempt by Mr Trump to reach out to a wider audience ahead of the 2024 elections.

CNN hit with backlash for hosting Trump town hall: ‘They learned absolutely nothing’

Birnbach stayed at Mar-a-Lago

Tuesday 2 May 2023 23:30 , Gustaf Kilander

When she was asked if she knew who Donald Trump was at the time, Ms Birnbach said, “Of course!”

“He was a fixture of New York tabloid life,” she added, according to Law & Crime.

Ms Birnbach said Mr Trump contacted her about a story regarding his plans for Mar-a-Lago, his Florida club. She stayed at the property for two nights.

“I carried a small tape recorder and lots and lots of cassettes,” she said.

Don Jr moans that Fox News hasn’t invited him on air in months

Tuesday 2 May 2023 23:00 , John Bowden

The eldest son of former President Donald Trump is griping about supposedly receiving the cold shoulder from Fox News as the network faced a historic legal fight as a result of the lies and misinformation spread by Mr Trump’s team in late 2020 and early 2021.

Donald Trump Jr outlined his complaints on his podcast, which is likely the driving motivating factor behind his desire for exposure itself. Since his father’s departure from the White House, Mr Trump Jr has worked to maintain his own political profile through his program, while filling his pockets — he signed a seven-figure deal with Rumble in January.

“I used to be on Fox three, four, five, six, 10 times a week. I haven’t been on in nine months. Not a call, not an invite, not anything,” he told his listeners, while trying to make the issue political in nature: “You saw what Fox did to Tucker Carlson last week, and the week before that, it was Dan Bongino, and, you know, the people who would actually question some of that narrative like: Is it a brilliant plan to send $130 billion to Ukraine, one of the most corrupt nations in the world?”

Don Jr moans that Fox News hasn’t invited him on air in months

Lisa Birnbach, a Carroll witness, takes the stand

Tuesday 2 May 2023 22:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Lisa Birnbach took the stand in the courtroom in New York on Tuesday morning – she is one of two people that Ms Carroll testified that she told about the alleged rape by Mr Trump. The other is Carol Martin.

Ms Birnbach, the author of 22 books, began her testimony by saying that she has known Ms Carroll for more than three decades. She said she “admired” Ms Carroll’s “stylish” writing.

She said Ms Carroll told her about the supposed rape, about “five to five minutes” after it had taken place, according to Law & Crime.

She said she thinks it happened in the spring of 1996, according to Inner City Press.

“We concocted a pilot together with TV producers and directors,” she said when speaking about working with Ms Carroll.

Trump lawyers confirm he will not testify at civil rape trial after second woman accuses him of assault

Tuesday 2 May 2023 22:16 , Bevan Hurley

Donald Trump’s attorneys have confirmed he will not testify at the E Jean Carroll civil rape and defamation trial.

Trump lawyers confirm he will not testify at E Jean Carroll civil rape trial

Donald Trump plays golf at his Turnberry course during Scottish visit

Tuesday 2 May 2023 22:00 , Rebecca McCurdy

Former US president Donald Trump enjoyed a round of golf at his Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire on the second day of his visit to Scotland.

Mr Trump took the wheel of a golf buggy as he travelled around the resort on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Trump Turnberry staff lined the steps and waved hats which said “we make Turnberry great again” as they greeted Mr Trump on his arrival.

Wearing a red baseball cap emblazoned with the words “Make America Great Again”, Mr Trump shook hands and chatted with some of those waiting to welcome him.

The former US head-of-state arrived in Scotland on Monday, landing at Aberdeen airport before travelling to his Menie Estate golf course near Aberdeen.

Donald Trump plays golf at his Turnberry course during Scottish visit

Trump won’t attend trial, Carroll legal team to wrap up case by Thursday

Tuesday 2 May 2023 21:54 , Gustaf Kilander

Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina said on Tuesday afternoon after the end of the day’s proceedings that Mr Trump wouldn’t be attending the trial.

Ms Carroll’s legal team said they would be resting their case by midday on Thursday.

“I’ll do the charging conference either Friday or Monday, I’ll let you know,” Judge Kaplan said before leaving for the day, according to Inner City Press.

‘She struck me as unusually vivacious and extroverted'

Tuesday 2 May 2023 21:45 , Gustaf Kilander

Dr Lebowitz testified that she spent between 20 and 22 hours with Ms Carroll ahead of the trial during three longer interviews and a number of shorter interactions.

When asked what makes something traumatic, she said, “It has to do with what it feels like and what it means to us”.

She mentioned instances such as losing a partner, according to New York Daily News.

“It requires that how you think about yourself and the world has to adjust,” Dr Lebowitz said.

“She struck me as unusually vivacious and extroverted,” she said before the proceedings ended for the day with direct examination set to continue on Wednesday, according to Law & Crime.

Psychologist says Carroll is not ‘very psychologically minded’ or ‘introspective’

Tuesday 2 May 2023 21:24 , Gustaf Kilander

In her expert opinion for Ms Carroll, Dr Lebowitz said that “She has suffered from painful memories. A diminishment in how she thought about herself” as well as “avoidance symptom, curtailing her romantic intimate life,” according to Inner City Press.

“She has suffered from painful intrusive memories for many years,” she said, according to Law & Crime.

“While she’s a very smart, intelligent woman, she’s not a very psychologically minded, introspective woman,” Dr Lebowitz said about Ms Carroll. “She’s action-oriented, more than anything else. And none of us is aware of the things that we avoid.”

Next witness: Clinical psychologist Dr Leslie Lebowitz

Tuesday 2 May 2023 21:09 , Gustaf Kilander

The next witness to take the stand is clinical psychologist Dr Leslie Lebowitz, who has been active in the field since 1984.

She told the court her speciality is psychological trauma, defining it as “some kind of event that is so painful and emotionally overwhelming” that it goes beyond an individual’s ability to cope.

She first served as a legal expert in 1994.

“I’ve worked in civil cases, such as this. I’ve worked in military cases” as well as in criminal cases, she said, according to Law & Crime.

She added that she’s usually on the plaintiff’s side in civil cases and that she’s been on both sides in criminal cases.

Dr Lebowitz said she has declined to work on a case and that at times, her findings haven’t been hlpful for the individual looking to hire her.

“A few of them had been prosecutions for rape, but I did not feel confident that what happened met that criteria,” she said.

‘Lingerie was a destination department'

Tuesday 2 May 2023 20:40 , Gustaf Kilander

Mr Salerno said he has never met Ms Carroll or Mr Trump, but that he did spot the future president inside the store.

He added that he doesn’t think there were surveillance cameras on the sixth floor, where the alleged assault took place.

Mr Salerno said the technology was far worse at that time and that the cameras would be relying on tapes, which he thinks were maintained for “not very long,” according to Law & Crime.

He said that “at least two” people would have been able to fit in the fitting rooms, but not more.

“A lot of the time the doors were not locked,” he said. “They kept them open, or they propped them open.”

“Lingerie was a destination department,” he said, adding that Berghof Goodman wasn’t Victoria’s Secret, meaning that if customers visited that part of the store, they were looking for it.

Trump accuser Jessica Leeds hopes to ‘never’ testify again after E Jean Carroll trial

Tuesday 2 May 2023 20:30 , Josh Marcus and Bevan Hurley

Jessica Leeds, who testified on Tuesday about Donald Trump allegedly attacking her as part of writer E Jean Carroll’s rape case against the former president, said she never hopes to share her experience again.

“I’m exhausted, I’m above it all and I hope I never have to tell my story again,” she told The Independent as she left the Manhattan courtroom.

Ms Leeds told jurors about how on a flight to New York in the late 1970s, Mr Trump allegedly violently sexually assaulted her when she was seated next to him in first class. He denies this took place.

“I’d like to express my support for E Jean Carroll, her story rings true to me,” Ms Leeds added. “And also I’d like to encourage anyone who has suffered sexual aggression to know they are not alone, and they can speak up.”

At the end of April, a federal court began hearing the case against Mr Trump from Ms Carroll, a well known advice columnist and former Elle magazine writer, who alleges the former president raped her in a New York department store in the 1990s.

Trump accuser speaks to The Independent after describing alleged sex attack in court

Jessica Leeds tells reporters E Jean Carroll’s story 'rings true’

Tuesday 2 May 2023 20:22 , Bevan Hurley

In a statement to media outside court, Ms Leeds, 81, said: “First I’d like to thank the lawyers who represented me. They’ve taken good care of me.

“I’d like to express my support for E Jean Carroll, her story rings true to me. And also I’d like to encourage anyone who has suffered sexual aggression to know they are not alone, and they can speak up.

“We’ve seen how society and perpetrators don’t get the message of how damaging aggression is until it becomes apparent”.

“It’s so rampant. Go ask your mothers, your wives, your sisters, your daughters and your sons. Thank you.”

Asked what it was like testifying, Ms Leeds said it was “nerve-wracking”.

“It’s not fun, it’s not fun, and I hope I never have to tell my story again.”

Former department store executive says fitting rooms were big enough to hold fax machines

Tuesday 2 May 2023 20:15 , Gustaf Kilander

The next witness on the stand is Robert Salerno, who served as a senior vice president at Berghof Goodman between 1995 and 1998.

He’s now retired.

Asked by Ms Carroll’s attorney how many floors the store had at the time, he said, “10 – eight accessible by escalator to the public”.

Asked about the fitting rooms by lawyer Shawn Crowley, Mr Salerno said they were “Large. On the fourth floor, they had fax machines. Jackie Kennedy used to come and do business there,” according to Inner City Press.

He added that the escalators were “walled off”.

Before ending his questioning, Mr Crowley asked if Mr Salerno ever spotted Mr Trump in the store.

“Once or twice,” Mr Salerno said.

Six memorable moments from E Jean Carroll’s testimony during Trump rape trial

Tuesday 2 May 2023 20:00 , Bevan Hurley and Gustaf Kilander

E Jean Carroll withstood a barrage of intensely personal questions and inflammatory accusations during more than 13 hours on the witness stand in her civil battery and defamation trial against former president Donald Trump.

The former Elle advice columnist was quizzed about years of emails, text messages, deposition statements, articles and social media posts by Mr Trump’s attorney Joe Tacopina as he tried to sow doubt in the minds of the nine jurors who will determine whether she was raped by Mr Trump in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in Manhattan in 1996.

Six memorable moments from E Jean Carroll’s testimony during Trump rape trial

Jessica Leeds says ‘I hope I never have to tell my story again’

Tuesday 2 May 2023 19:58 , Bevan Hurley

Coming out of the court following her testimony on Tuesday, Jessica Leeds told The Independent: “I’m exhausted, I’m above it all and I hope I never have to tell my story again.”

‘I think he was just bored'

Tuesday 2 May 2023 19:56 , Gustaf Kilander

Ms Leeds was asked by Mr Ferrara why she called what Mr Trump allegedly did to her ‘a pass’?

“It’s easier to think of it that way,” she said, according to Inner City Press.

“To be clear, do you now consider it a pass?” Mr Ferrara asked.

Mr Tacopina objected to the question as being “leading,” but Judge Kaplan overruled.

“No, it was not a pass,” Ms Leeds said.

“Do you think you brought on what he did?” Mr Ferrara asked.

“No. I don’t know what he perceived. I think he was just bored,”

‘Too bad, how about lunch?’

Tuesday 2 May 2023 19:50 , Gustaf Kilander

Mr Tacopina ended his cross-examination of Ms Leeds by pressing her for an exact date or to name witnesses of Mr Trump’s alleged assault on the plane.

Ms Leeds has said it could have taken place between 1978 and 1980 but hasn’t been able to pinpoint an exact date.

During re-direct with Carroll lawyer Michael Ferrara, Ms Leeds was asked why she didn’t tell her bosses about what happened.

“My boss would say, ‘too bad, how about lunch?’” Ms Leeds said, according to Inner City Press.

‘Random guy on a plane’: Leeds had no idea who Trump was at the time of alleged plane assault

Tuesday 2 May 2023 19:39 , Gustaf Kilander

During cross-examination by Trump attorney Joe Tacopina, Ms Leeds said that she had no idea who Mr Trump was at the time of the alleged assault on the plane, calling him a “random guy on a plane”.

“He started putting his hand up my skirt,” she said, according to Law & Crime.

She added that the episode “probably” only lasted for a few seconds.

Mr Tacopina noted that when speaking to CNN’s Anderson Cooper, she said it went on for 15 minutes.

Ms Leeds responded that she had never thought of it before and her answer was made in the moment.

She said she didn’t say anything about it to her family or her friends.

Who is Jessica Leeds? The Trump accuser testifying about alleged plane assault at E Jean Carroll trial

Tuesday 2 May 2023 19:30 , Joe Sommerlad

E Jean Carroll, the former Elle magazine columnist, has been given evidence at the Moynihan federal courthouse in Manhattan, New York, during a civil trial in which she accuses the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump, of rape.

Ms Carroll alleges that Mr Trump sexually assaulted her in the changing rooms of the Bergdorf Goodman department store in the mid-1990s, an accusation he has denied.

The veteran writer is one of at least 26 women who have made historic sexual assault allegations against Mr Trump.

Another accuser who offered her testimony in court is Jessica Leeds, a businesswoman who has said the former president attacked her on a flight from Dallas or Atlanta to New York in 1978 or 1979, when she was 37.

Ms Leeds – originally from Springfield, Missouri, the daughter of an Oscar Mayer cattle buyer and the executive secretary to the city manager – was based in Connecticut at the time and worked as a travelling salesperson for a company that supplied paper to other businesses.

Who is Jessica Leeds? Trump accuser may testify about plane assault at Carroll trial

Trump’s comment ‘was like cold water over me,’ Leeds says

Tuesday 2 May 2023 19:30 , Gustaf Kilander

The direct examination of Ms Leeds ended shortly after lunch on Tuesday, with Ms Leeds saying that she had seen Mr Trump at a fundraising gala sometime after the alleged assault on the plane.

He allegedly told her: “I remember you. You’re that c*** from the airplane,” according to Law & Crime.

Ms Leeds said the gala took place in 1981.

“I had a nice dress. Trump and Ivana, pregnant, came up,” she said, according to Inner City Press.

She said Mr Trump’s comment “was like cold water over me. He walked away and I went home”.

Don Jr moans that Fox News hasn’t invited him on air in months

Tuesday 2 May 2023 19:00 , John Bowden

Don Jr moans that Fox News hasn’t invited him on air in months

Don Jr moans that Fox News hasn’t invited him on air in months

Donald Trump plays golf at his Turnberry course during Scottish visit

Tuesday 2 May 2023 18:30 , Rebecca McCurdy

Former US president Donald Trump enjoyed a round of golf at his Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire on the second day of his visit to Scotland.

Mr Trump took the wheel of a golf buggy as he travelled around the resort on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Trump Turnberry staff lined the steps and waved hats which said “we make Turnberry great again” as they greeted Mr Trump on his arrival.

Wearing a red baseball cap emblazoned with the words “Make America Great Again”, Mr Trump shook hands and chatted with some of those waiting to welcome him.

The former US head-of-state arrived in Scotland on Monday, landing at Aberdeen airport before travelling to his Menie Estate golf course near Aberdeen.

Donald Trump plays golf at his Turnberry course during Scottish visit

Tuesday 2 May 2023 17:55 , Gustaf Kilander

The jury was shown a video of Mr Trump responding to the Access Hollywood tape during a 2016 debate with Hillary Clinton.

Mr Trump described his comments about grabbing women “by the pu***” as “locker room talk” and not based in reality.

Ms Leeds told the court she was “furious” because Mr Trump was “lying”.

She said she knew he was lying because of “the experience I had with him”.

‘In that time and place ... men could basically get away with a lot'

Tuesday 2 May 2023 17:39 , Gustaf Kilander

Ms Leeds told the court that she didn’t tell “anybody” about what happened on the plane.

She said it didn’t “occur” to her that it was an option to share what took place.

When the plane landed, she waited for everyone to leave before she got off and drove home, she told the court, according to Law & Crime.

“In that time and place ... men could basically get away with a lot,” she said.

Jessica Leeds testifies about her allegedly being assaulted by Trump on flight

Tuesday 2 May 2023 17:32 , Gustaf Kilander

Following the conclusion of Ms Birnbach’s testimony, Ms Carroll’s legal team called Jessica Leeds to take the witness stand.

Ms Leeds claims that she was sitting next to Mr Trump in first class on a flight from Dallas or Atlanta to New York in 1978 or 1979.

It was about midday and she was 37 years old at the time, working as a stockbroker, according to Inner City Press.

“I was invited up to the first-class cabin. I was the only woman there. Donald Trump introduced himself,” she said, later adding that he “grabbed me and groped me. It was like he had forty zillion hands. He put his hand up my skirt. That gave me a jolt. I wiggled out and stormed back to coach”.

Who is Jessica Leeds? Trump accuser may testify about plane assault at Carroll trial

‘Followers of Mr Trump were threatening her’

Tuesday 2 May 2023 17:26 , Gustaf Kilander

During redirect, Ms Carroll’s lawyer noted that Ms Carroll couldn’t go on the book tour herself.

“The concern was for her safety because followers of Mr Trump were threatening her,” Ms Birnbach said, according to Law & Crime.

Speaking about Mr Trump at the time of the alleged assault, Ms Birnbach said, “My friend was not raped by a president. She was assaulted by a guy, a real estate guy who liked women and harassed a lot of women”.

Ms Birnbach was asked, “Would you ever go into court and perjure yourself to prevent Trump from becoming president?”

“Never in a million years!” she said.

‘The main thing is to SELL BOOKS!!'

Tuesday 2 May 2023 17:21 , Gustaf Kilander

Trump lawyer W Perry Brandt showed Ms Birnbach an email in which she discussed the promotion of her book with Ms Carroll.

“The main thing is to SELL BOOKS!!” she wrote.

When asked about the email, Ms Birnbach said, “She was on a book tour!” according to Law & Crime.

“Yes, that is how writers make money,” she added.

Trump legal team brings up Birnbach’s donations and social media posts

Tuesday 2 May 2023 17:12 , Gustaf Kilander

During cross-examination by the Trump legal team, Ms Birnbach was asked about her social media posts and political donations.

The Trump lawyer read from a post by Ms Birnbach: “In my entire life, I never felt the hatred that I feel for this person.”

The attorney went on to quote Ms Birnbach during an appearance on the podcast of Alexandra Pelosi, the daughter of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“I cannot listen to Donald Trump. I feel like it irritates an infection or he is an effect,” Ms Birnbach at the time.

The lawyer then put forward an exhibit as “evidence of bias”.

“Oh, really?” Judge Kaplan said wryly to laughter from the attorney, according to Law & Crime.

Ms Birnbach later confirmed that Ms Carroll recommended her for a job at The Daily Beast.

Birnbach says she agreed to go public to be a ‘supportive friend'

Tuesday 2 May 2023 16:46 , Gustaf Kilander

Ms Birnbach said she agreed to take part in media interviews despite her concerns about being identified “because I was telling the truth. Because my friend was telling the truth”.

“I felt strongly that I could be a supportive friend,” she said, according to Law & Crime.

She was clear that she doesn’t like Mr Trump. She was asked if she called him “a narcissistic sociopath”.

“That sounds right,” she said.

“Have you described him as Vladimir Putin’s agent?” the counsel asked her.

“It’s quite possible that I did,” Ms Birnbach responded.

She also agreed that he compared Mr Trump to an “infection like herpes”.

“I’m here because I’m her friend, and I want the world to know that she was telling the truth,” she said.

‘She’s not a victim. She doesn’t want anybody’s pity'

Tuesday 2 May 2023 16:35 , Gustaf Kilander

Ms Birnbach said Ms Carroll’s 2019 book also included other sexual assault allegations, which she said she had never heard about before.

She said she wasn’t surprised that Ms Carroll didn’t tell her about those allegations because Ms Carroll is “a very up person”.

“She’s not a victim. She doesn’t want anybody’s pity,” she said, according to Law & Crime. “Instead of wallowing, she puts on lipstick, dusts herself off and moves on.”

Carroll’s friend became target of ‘pretty awful, antisemitic messages'

Tuesday 2 May 2023 16:27 , Gustaf Kilander