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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Anna Betts and Sam Levine in New York City

E Jean Carroll inquiry is Trump’s latest attempt to use justice department to punish rivals

A side-by-side image of a man in glasses and E Jean Carroll wearing sunglasses, both in close-up
Reid Hoffman (left) and E Jean Carroll. Composite: Getty Images, Reuters

The justice department’s inquiry into E Jean Carroll is part of an investigation into an entity backed by the LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, according to people familiar with the matter.

A source familiar with the investigation told the Guardian that Carroll is not the subject of the investigation, but said that it was related to Carroll and her deposition, and is more focused on Hoffman’s non-profit. The non-profit, American Future Republic, helped fund a lawsuit in which Carroll won $5m in damages in 2023 against Donald Trump based on allegations Trump sexually assaulted and defamed her. Carroll won a second, $83.3m defamation award against the president in 2024. Trump has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.

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