E. Jean Carroll’s victory lap

The past few days have been all smiles for E. Jean Carroll. She flashed her pearly whites at the jury after defeating Donald Trump in a defamation case on Friday. She beamed for the cameras outside the courtroom. And she’s been radiant in her CNN and MSNBC interviews. But it’s not justice or vindication that has Carrol elated: it’s the promise of a brand-new wardrobe. 

Carroll plans to foot the bill with the $83.3 million in defamation damages that a federal jury ruled Trump must pay her. Carroll appeared on MSNBC Monday night, alongside her lawyers, to dish about her winnings with Rachel Maddow. She had previously hinted that she would use the “money for something that Donald Trump hates,” like a fund for women that he has reportedly sexually assaulted. Maddow asked her to expound on these philanthropic goals. 

“Yes, Rachel! Yes! I have such, such great ideas for all the good I’m going do with this money,” Carroll mused. “First thing Rachel, you and I are going to go shopping. We’re getting completely new wardrobes, new shoes.” Carroll also promised Maddow a penthouse and, inexplicably, a fishing excursion in France. 

“That’s a joke,” her lawyer said with alarm after Carroll’s monologue. Even Maddow seemed taken aback, nervously joking that she would only travel to France if it could do something for women’s rights. 

Maddow also asked Carroll if she would pursue another case if her lawyers told her there was more money to be won. “Absolutely,” she said, grasping her lawyers’ hands and grinning. Clearly, one shopping spree is not enough. 

Cockburn would caution Carroll against counting her chickens before they hatch. Trump has already announced that he plans to appeal the “absolutely ridiculous” ruling, and he may also pursue a bond which would save him from paying the full amount up front. It could be years before Carroll sees her new shoes.