Roberta Kaplan

Join E. Jean Carroll, a writer and former advice columnist known for her bold accusations against Donald Trump, and Roberta Kaplan, her civil rights attorney famous for winning landmark cases. They dive into the tumultuous legal battles over sexual assault allegations, unveiling potential evidence tied to Jeffrey Epstein. The conversation tackles courtroom absurdities, emotional turmoil, and the complexities of presidential immunity. With reflections on resilience and the power of collective action, it’s a captivating discussion on justice in high-stakes law.

Roberta Kaplan, a renowned litigator celebrated for her powerful court victories, shares insights from her high-profile case against Donald Trump, which resulted in an $83.3 million verdict for E. Jean Carroll. She discusses the implications of this ruling on Trump's public image and political future. Kaplan also reflects on the state of LGBTQ+ rights today, recalling her role in championing marriage equality, while addressing the threats posed to free speech by wealthy individuals like Elon Musk. Her blend of legal expertise and personal anecdotes makes for a captivating listen.

Earlier this month, E Jean Carroll won an unprecedented legal victory: in a civil suit, Donald Trump was found liable for sexual abuse against her in the mid-nineteen-nineties, and for defamation in later accusing her of a hoax. But no sooner was that decision announced than Trump reiterated his defamatory insults against her in a controversial CNN interview. Carroll has now filed an amended complaint, in a separate suit, based on Trump’s continued barrage. But can anything make him stop? “The one thing he understands is money,” Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, tells David Remnick. “At some point he’ll understand that every time he does it, it’s going to cost him  a few million dollars. And that may make a difference.” Carroll acknowledges that Trump will keep attacking her to get a laugh—“a lot of people don’t like women,” she says simply—but she is undaunted, telling Remnick, “I hate to be all positive about this, but I think we’ve made a difference, I really do.”  Plus, the staff writer Dexter Filkins on Ron DeSantis, who finally announced his Presidential candidacy this week. In 2022, Filkins profiled the Florida governor as his national ambitions were becoming clear. “He’s very good at staking out a position and pounding the table,” Filkins notes, “saying, ‘I’m not giving in to the liberals in the Northeast.’ ”