Elise Stefanik’s defense of Trump in E. Jean Carroll suit sparks backlash

Consultant Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican, is going through backlash after her protection of Donald Trump in former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit in opposition to the previous president.

In Could 2023, a New York jury discovered that Trump sexually abused Carroll within the altering room of a Manhattan division retailer through the mid-Nineteen Nineties, then defamed her after she went public with the allegation. The previous president was ordered to pay $5 million in damages, together with $2 million for the battery declare. Trump continued criticizing Carroll, main her to file a second defamation lawsuit, this time searching for a minimum of $10 million. The previous president has maintained his innocence and has mentioned he “by no means met, noticed, or touched” Carroll.

On Friday night time at a rally in Harmony, New Hampshire, Stefanik was requested by NBC Information correspondent Vaughn Hillyard how she grappled with standing by Trump, the frontrunner within the 2024 GOP presidential main, whereas a jury is presently debating on how a lot to award Carroll in her second defamation case.

In response, the congresswoman repeatedly echoed Trump’s claims that the lawsuit being heard by Choose Lewis Kaplan is a political “witch hunt.”

“These are witch hunts in opposition to President Trump. And the explanation why, is as a result of he is pulling forward of Joe Biden and Joe Biden is the weakest candidate we have ever seen,” Stefanik mentioned.

Newsweek reached out to Stefanik’s workplace on Saturday morning by way of e-mail for added feedback.

When requested Friday if she believed Carroll, Stefanik mentioned, “No, in fact not.” Then, the New York lawmaker, repeatedly blamed the media for Trump’s prolonged listing of authorized battles.

Trump faces a bunch of authorized issues, together with 91 felony prices throughout 4 indictments—two on the state stage and two on the federal stage.

“The media is so out of contact with the American folks. Like 2016, you will see the American folks communicate out loudly and clearly with their vote,” the congresswoman mentioned. “We’re so uninterested in the biased media shilling for Joe Biden each single day. President Trump goes to win, restore the rule of regulation, and restore respect for the Structure on this nation.”

Stefanik was trending on X, previously Twitter, on Saturday morning, with customers taking the congresswoman to process for her statements.

X consumer Kathleen Dunn commented, “You should admit Stefanik acts extra like a robotic than a Harvard graduate. Right here, she repeatedly solutions the press utilizing Trumpian buzz phrases and phrases, equivalent to ‘witch hunt’ and ‘biased media,’ with out regard to the content material of the query. For example, with the Carroll verdict, (which discovered Trump liable of sexual assault), Stefanik blames a biased media refusing to acknowledge {that a} trial occurred, the events offered proof, and the jury discovered Trump liable. An sincere, considerate reply is simply not a part of her script as a rote response is simpler and makes the Donald joyful, a minimum of for the second.”

Democratic strategist Lindy Li posted, “Particular place in hell for girls who empower rapists and work to return them to the White Home.”

There have been additionally continued speculations that Stefanik’s statements on Friday in Trump’s protection have been additional purpose to consider she is angling to be his decide for vp throughout his 2024 presidential run.

“Simply keep in mind who instructed you first Stefanik was going to be Trump’s working mate,” MeidasTouch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski posted.

On Saturday morning, Trump supporters might be heard chanting “VP” as Stefanik completed a speech at his New Hampshire marketing campaign headquarters.