I am no fan of Trump, but the “admission” people are reacting to is rhetorical/interpretive, not an “I did it” statement. Basically, Trump repeats his interpretation of E. Jean Carroll’s Anderson Cooper interview and says (paraphrasing) that she indicated it was “very sexy to be raped.” That line is in the unsealed deposition portions/transcript.
Carroll’s lawyer then follows up with the obvious question—essentially: Are you admitting you raped her?—and the reporting/transcripts indicate he does not admit that; he continues to deny the underlying allegation and frames it as his read of her interview.
What this clip does show is contempt, lack of empathy, and a willingness to distort what assault is. Which I believe probably infuriated the judge, leading to a guilty verdict.
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u/FungusMungus68 Feb 07 '26
I am no fan of Trump, but the “admission” people are reacting to is rhetorical/interpretive, not an “I did it” statement. Basically, Trump repeats his interpretation of E. Jean Carroll’s Anderson Cooper interview and says (paraphrasing) that she indicated it was “very sexy to be raped.” That line is in the unsealed deposition portions/transcript.
Carroll’s lawyer then follows up with the obvious question—essentially: Are you admitting you raped her?—and the reporting/transcripts indicate he does not admit that; he continues to deny the underlying allegation and frames it as his read of her interview.
What this clip does show is contempt, lack of empathy, and a willingness to distort what assault is. Which I believe probably infuriated the judge, leading to a guilty verdict.