E. Jean Carroll, the 82-year-old former Elle Magazine advice columnist, recently received the full $88 million settlement awarded to her by juries in her lawsuits against Donald Trump. This payment follows two separate court victories where she accused Trump of sexual assault and defamation. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and awarded Carroll $5 million, followed by an $83 million defamation judgment the subsequent year.
Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, confirmed the payment, stating, “Today, we are pleased to report that she has received the damages payment the jury awarded her as a result of that verdict.”
The timing of this financial resolution could not be more opportune for "Ask E. Jean," the documentary directed by Ivy Meeropol that delves into Carroll's extraordinary journey. The film, which premiered at Telluride over a year ago and had a four-month theatrical run in 100 theaters, is set for a digital release on October 15. This strategic move aims to place it directly in front of documentary branch Oscar voters, hoping to secure a nomination.
Despite the compelling nature of Carroll's story, financing and distributing the documentary proved challenging. Major distributors were hesitant to back the project. It was Oscar-nominated producer Laura Bickford, known for films like "Traffic," who navigated the complexities of independent financing, bringing in equity investors and impact partners to bring the film to fruition.
Carroll herself was initially reluctant to participate in a documentary. "I hated the idea of anybody following me around," she revealed at the Middleburg Film Festival. However, she was swayed by Meeropol's 2019 HBO film, "Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn." Carroll explained, "That is the man who created Donald Trump, and I was breath-taken by the movie. I thought, ‘Oh, here it all is black and white. This is where Donald Trump came from.’ So, what am I going to say? I can’t say no to Ivy. So, that was it."
The filmmaking process, while initially daunting for a seasoned journalist like Carroll, ultimately proved therapeutic. She found it "fun to have it turned around" and reflective. The documentary benefited significantly from Carroll's meticulous archiving habits, which included audio tapes and even VHS tapes rescued from a flooded basement. These extensive personal archives, combined with riveting video depositions, enriched the narrative.
A particularly poignant moment in the film captures Carroll's response when asked why she accused Donald Trump if she didn't want to be "dragged through the mud." Her unwavering reply: "Because he called me a liar."
The film also explores the profound personal impact of the assault on Carroll's life. She candidly shares, "I never had sex again. That is a real loss. My sex life. I loved it, but it shut down." This raw honesty underscores the personal cost behind her public fight for justice.
Carroll's memoir, "Not My Type: One Woman vs. a President," became a New York Times bestseller, demonstrating the public's fascination with her story. As "Ask E. Jean" makes its digital debut, the recent settlement further highlights the significance of her journey, potentially drawing even more attention from Oscar voters and film enthusiasts alike.