Columnist E. Jean Carroll Alleges That Donald Trump Raped Her In The 1990s

Just weeks before the 2016 election, Trump could be heard on a leaked Access Hollywood tape bragging about touching women without asking. He didn't deny the contents of the tape, brushing his comments aside as "locker room talk".

E. Jean Carroll, who's well-known for her long-running "Ask E. Jean" column in Elle magazine, has come forward with a powerful and damning story describing what she says happened with the future president in the 1990s.

Until then, Carroll's story can be read here. The cover of the June 24 issue features Carroll in a black outfit with a description saying it's what she wore when she was assaulted by Trump.

While some of the stuff Trump has been accused of could maybe be brushed aside as "locker room talk", Carroll's allegations go a step further. If true, Trump's actions would constitute rape.

Carroll writes that she was at Bergdorf Goodman, a high-end New York department store, in the mid 90's, when she ran into Trump. Trump recognized her from her column and asked her for some help.

Carroll says she agreed to help Trump find lingerie for a woman who he didn't name at the time. But according to her account, things quickly turned violent as soon as the door closed.

As soon as it closed, Carroll writes, "he lunges at me, pushes me against the wall, hitting my head quite badly, and puts his mouth against my lips." Shocked, Carroll says she pushed him away and laughed.

After the rejection, Carroll wrote, "He seizes both my arms and pushes me up against the wall a second time ... he holds me against the wall with his shoulder and jams his hand under my coat dress and pulls down my tights."

After this, Carroll says, Trump unzipped his pants and proceeded to sexually assault her. Shocked by the incident, she says it was a "colossal struggle" to finally push him off of her.

The alleged incident did happen a long time ago, but several of Carroll's friends say she told them about the attack after it happened. Carroll says she's been mostly silent until now because she doesn't want her name dragged through the mud.

As of early 2017, 15 separate women had accused Trump of improper sexual conduct. Carroll's account marks number 16. While everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence, this long list of accusers is a bad look for Trump.

Trump's comments, both on and off the record, have shown disrespect toward women in the past. We want to know what you think, so be sure to share your thoughts in the comments section.