E. Jean Carroll departs federal court in New York

Columnist E. Jean Carroll left a New York courthouse Monday to cheers from supporters, who shouted, “We believe you!” and “Thank you!” A jury is hearing closing arguments in a Manhattan federal court civil trial over claims Donald Trump sexually attacked Carroll in a department store in 1996.

Trump's defense lawyer told jurors that they would have to believe the unbelievable to accept a columnist's claims that the former president sexually attacked her. Attorney Joe Tacopina, on Monday, urged jurors to reject Carroll's claims. Trump, who has not attended the trial, insisted in an October deposition that Carroll made up the claims to boost sales of a 2019 memoir. Carroll is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.