Woman Who Sued Trump for Sexual Assault Claims Team Sent Her 'Love Letter'

E. Jean Carroll says she received a Valentine's Day fundraising email linked to the former president.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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E. Jean Carroll, the writer who won two civil cases against former President Donald Trump after juries found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation, has said she recently received a Valentine's Day-themed fundraising email from a political action committee associated with Trump. Carroll shared screenshots of the email, which used romantic language and urged recipients to read a "love letter" and donate money.

Why it matters

There is ongoing legal fallout from Carroll's lawsuits against Trump, which produced some of the most-consequential civil judgments ever issued against a U.S. president. Courts found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in a civil case, and for defaming her after she accused him of assault, rulings that have been upheld on appeal. The cases are frequently cited as significant examples of a president being held personally accountable in civil court.

The details

The Valentine's Day-themed fundraising email was sent from a political action committee associated with Trump, with the sender listed as "Secret Admirer Donald J. Trump." Screenshots shared by Carroll showed that the email used romantic language and verse, asked recipients whether they still "loved" Trump, and urged them to read a "love letter" and donate money. There is no indication that the email was connected to the litigation or sent directly by Trump himself, and political fundraising messages are commonly distributed in bulk to large mailing lists.

  • In May 2023, a New York jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and defaming her, awarding her $5 million.
  • A second jury later awarded Carroll $83.3 million over Trump's continued statements about her. A federal appeals court upheld that larger verdict in 2025, rejecting Trump's arguments that presidential immunity shielded him from liability.
  • Trump has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review one of the civil judgments against him in the Carroll cases.

The players

E. Jean Carroll

A former advice columnist who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store in the mid‑1990s.

Donald Trump

The former president who was found liable in civil court for sexually abusing Carroll and defaming her after she accused him of assault.

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What they’re saying

“Yes. This is a real email. No. I did not sign up on this mailing list. Yes. We are living in a crazy world.”

— E. Jean Carroll (X)

What’s next

Unless a higher court intervenes, the verdicts and damages awards against Trump remain in place.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal fallout from Carroll's successful civil lawsuits against a former U.S. president, which have set significant precedents for holding a president personally accountable in court.