(DailyChive.com) – E. Jean Carroll sleeps with a loaded shotgun named “Aphrodite” after winning $88.3 million from Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit that has become a flashpoint in America’s deepening cultural war.
Key Takeaways
- Carroll’s new memoir “Not My Type” details her legal battles with Trump, including two successful lawsuits that awarded her $88.3 million in damages.
- The 80-year-old writer faced scrutiny over whether she was “attractive enough to assault” and recreated her 1996 appearance for the trial to counter Trump’s dismissal.
- Despite winning in court, Carroll now sleeps with a shotgun and guard dogs due to threats from Trump supporters.
- Carroll plans to use her legal winnings to fund women’s reproductive rights and democracy initiatives, further inflaming the cultural divide.
- A federal appeals court recently rejected Trump’s request for an en banc hearing, solidifying Carroll’s legal victory.
Carroll’s Controversial Memoir Exposes America’s Deep Divide
E. Jean Carroll’s newly released memoir “Not My Type” has ignited fierce debate across America’s political landscape, chronicling her sexual assault allegations against former President Donald Trump and the subsequent defamation lawsuits that resulted in an $88.3 million judgment. The 80-year-old journalist and advice columnist’s book arrives at a particularly volatile moment in American politics, with Trump back in office and the nation more divided than ever over issues of accountability, power, and gender.
The memoir’s provocative title directly references Trump’s infamous defense when Carroll first went public with her allegations in 2019, claiming she was “not my type” – a dismissal that Carroll methodically dismantles throughout her narrative. The book details how Carroll felt compelled to recreate her 1996 appearance for the trial, fearing the jury might not believe she was “attractive enough to assault” at the time of the alleged incident in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room.
Legal Victories Amid Public Scrutiny
Carroll’s legal journey resulted in two landmark victories against Trump. In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million. In January 2024, a second jury awarded her an additional $83.3 million in the defamation case. These verdicts have been upheld despite Trump’s repeated appeals, with a federal appeals court rejecting his request for an en banc hearing as recently as June 14, 2025.
The massive financial judgment has become a rallying point for both sides of the political spectrum. For Trump’s supporters, the case represents what they see as the weaponization of the legal system against their leader. For Carroll’s supporters, it symbolizes a rare moment of accountability for a powerful man accused of sexual misconduct. This stark contrast in perspectives exemplifies the cultural chasm that Carroll’s book explores.
Living Under Threat While Fighting Back
Perhaps most revealing about America’s cultural divide is Carroll’s current living situation. Despite winning in court, Carroll now sleeps with a shotgun she has named “Aphrodite” and keeps guard dogs for protection due to ongoing threats from Trump supporters. This stark reality underscores how legal victories don’t necessarily translate to personal safety in today’s polarized America, where political allegiance often trumps legal judgments.
“I have a shotgun I call Aphrodite,” Carroll revealed in a recent interview. “I have two guard dogs. I live in a cabin in the woods. I’m careful. I’m careful about everything.”
Carroll’s plans for the $83 million judgment further highlight the ideological battle lines. She intends to use the money to fund women’s reproductive rights, democracy initiatives, and voting-rights advocacy – causes that directly oppose many of Trump’s policies and priorities. This decision to weaponize her legal winnings for political causes has only intensified the controversy surrounding her case.
A Memoir That Defies Victim Stereotypes
What makes Carroll’s memoir particularly provocative is her refusal to conform to traditional victim narratives. Rather than presenting herself as broken or defeated, she frames her legal battle as “comedy gold” while simultaneously delivering a scathing critique of how society treats women who accuse powerful men of misconduct. Her fearless tone has earned praise from supporters like former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance, who called Carroll a “national treasure.”
The book’s release coinciding with Trump’s return to power creates a perfect storm of cultural controversy. Carroll notes that Trump’s 2024 election win revealed a “stunning” societal rift, observing that “People don’t believe women when a powerful man says otherwise.” This assessment cuts to the heart of America’s ongoing struggle with issues of power, gender, and credibility.
For conservatives, Carroll’s case represents everything wrong with the legal system – a decades-old allegation with no physical evidence resulting in an astronomical judgment against a political figure they support. For progressives, it symbolizes a rare moment when wealth and power didn’t shield a man from accountability for alleged sexual misconduct.
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