DOJ Investigates Funding of E. Jean Carroll’s Lawsuits Against Trump
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into the funding of E. Jean Carroll's civil lawsuits against President Donald Trump. The probe, led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, focuses on financial contributions made by a nonprofit organization linked to billionaire donor Reid Hoffman. Conflicting public statements have emerged regarding the exact targets and scope of the investigation.
Key Dispute Over Investigation's Scope
The primary point of factual disagreement among sources concerns who is the subject of the investigation.
"The Chicago US Attorney's Office can confirm that it has not opened and has never opened a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll."
— Andrew S. Boutros, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois
This statement directly contradicts reports that the investigation includes perjury allegations against Carroll herself.
Multiple news outlets, citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, have reported that the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation related to Carroll's civil cases. These reports vary in describing the targets:
- Some sources report the investigation focuses on whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury in a 2022 deposition regarding outside funding for her legal fees.
- Other sources report the probe targets American Future Republic, a nonprofit founded by Reid Hoffman, for its role in funding Carroll's legal fees, examining potential crimes including money laundering, conspiracy, and obstruction.
The Justice Department has not commented officially on the existence or scope of any ongoing investigation.
Origin and Focus of the Inquiry
The investigation reportedly stems from a 2022 deposition in which Carroll stated that no outside party was paying for her legal representation. It was later disclosed that in 2020, American Future Republic, a nonprofit backed by Reid Hoffman, provided funding to Kaplan Hecker & Fink, the law firm representing Carroll. Tax records indicate American Future Republic provided $7 million to the firm in 2020.
In a 2024 ruling, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that Carroll had "plausibly represented" she had forgotten about the limited outside funding when questioned in 2022. The court concluded that further discovery did not indicate otherwise.
Recusal and Stated Motivations
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the Chicago investigation. Blanche previously served as one of Trump's personal attorneys on legal appeals related to the Carroll cases.
Reid Hoffman has publicly characterized the investigation as retaliatory. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on May 29, 2026, Hoffman said:
"He is investigating me because I supported E Jean's lawsuit – where a jury found Trump liable for sexually assaulting her... Trump hopes that these fraudulent investigations will silence those who stand up to him."
Background on the Civil Cases
E. Jean Carroll alleged that President Trump sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. Trump has denied these allegations.
Two civil jury verdicts were subsequently entered against Trump:
- May 2023: A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages.
- January 2024: A separate jury ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million in damages for defamation related to statements Trump made on social media.
Trump has denied all wrongdoing and has appealed both judgments. He is seeking intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump has not yet paid the awards; he posted a $7.4 million bond to cover potential interest on the initial $5 million verdict while the appeals process continues.