Trump DOJ Opens Perjury Probe Into E. Jean Carroll After Nearly $90 Million Court Victories
Trump Accuser Faces New Federal Scrutiny as DOJ Opens Perjury Investigation
THE United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a criminal investigation into writer and former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll, examining whether she committed perjury during testimony connected to the civil lawsuits in which she successfully sued President Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. The development marks the latest chapter in one of America’s most closely watched legal and political battles.
The investigation is reportedly being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago. While the opening of a criminal inquiry does not imply guilt or guarantee criminal charges, prosecutors are said to be assessing statements Carroll made under oath during pretrial proceedings.
Focus on Funding for the Civil Lawsuits
According to reports, investigators are examining Carroll’s 2022 deposition testimony in which she stated that she had not received outside financial assistance for her legal action against Trump.
The issue gained attention after later disclosures showed that some of Carroll’s litigation expenses had been supported through a nonprofit organization backed by billionaire entrepreneur and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Prosecutors are reportedly assessing whether Carroll’s earlier testimony accurately reflected those financial arrangements.
However, the issue has generated conflicting public accounts. Shortly after initial reports emerged, federal officials clarified that investigators were also examining the nonprofit that helped finance portions of the litigation, with questions extending beyond Carroll herself. CBS News later reported that one source said Carroll was not the direct target of the criminal investigation, but that her testimony formed part of a broader inquiry into the funding arrangement.
Background to the Trump-Carroll Legal Battle
Carroll’s legal dispute with Trump began after she publicly alleged that he sexually assaulted her inside a New York department store in the mid-1990s, an allegation Trump has consistently denied.
In May 2023, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and for defaming her after he publicly denied her allegations. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.
A second jury, in January 2024, awarded Carroll an additional $83.3 million after concluding that Trump had continued to defame her through repeated public statements.
Combined, the judgments total approximately $88.3 million, although Trump has continued challenging the verdicts through the courts.
Appeals Continue Despite Supreme Court Setback
Trump has maintained that Carroll’s allegations are false and has repeatedly sought to overturn the judgments.
In late June 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal in the first civil case, allowing the $5 million judgment to stand. His appeal relating to the separate $83.3 million defamation award remains part of the broader legal dispute.
No Charges Filed
Federal authorities have not filed criminal charges against Carroll, and no court has determined that she committed perjury.
Legal observers note that criminal investigations often conclude without indictments, while Carroll’s attorneys have declined detailed public comment regarding the inquiry. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche reportedly recused himself from matters relating to the investigation because he previously represented Trump in litigation involving Carroll.
