Trump Mistakenly Identifies E. Jean Carroll as Ex-Wife Marla Maples in Deposition Court Transcripts

Former President Donald Trump mistakenly identified E. Jean Carroll, the columnist who alleges he raped her in a New York department store in the 1990s, as his ex-wife Marla Maples in an old photograph he was shown during deposition, court transcripts unsealed on Wednesday revealed.

The deposition, which took place in October, was part of a defamation lawsuit filed by Carroll against Trump. During the deposition, Trump was asked by Carroll’s lawyer about a black-and-white photograph that showed a small group of people, including Trump and Carroll. When asked who was in the photo, Trump pointed to Carroll and said, “That’s my wife,” referring to Maples.

Trump has denied raping Carroll, previously saying she’s “not my type” in his defense. However, his comments under oath threaten to undercut his repeated denials of Carroll’s allegations, as he incorrectly identified her as his ex-wife.

Trump and Maples were married from 1993 to 1999. Carroll, a longtime advice columnist for Elle magazine, alleges that Trump raped her in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store in New York City in the mid-1990s. Trump has denied the allegations and has sought to have the case dismissed.

The court documents released Wednesday shed new light on Trump’s defense against Carroll’s allegations. The case is ongoing and a ruling is expected soon.