Jean Carroll, an American journalist suing Donald Trump for alleged rape in the mid-1990s, says the former U.S. president raped her in a Manhattan department store dressing room.

Ms Carroll, now 79, disclosed this while taking the stand on the second day of a federal battery and defamation civil case the former Elle magazine columnist brought against Mr Trump at a Manhattan federal court in New York over a rape allegation that occurred either in 1995 or 1996.

“I am here because Donald Trump raped me, and when I wrote about it, he said it didn’t happen,” Ms Carrol responded when asked why she was at the court on Wednesday. “He lied and shattered my reputation, and I am here to try to get my life back,” she added.

When asked, “How do you feel about men?” she said, “I like them!” which created a humorous atmosphere with at least one male juror eliciting a laugh.

Detailing the encounter with Mr Trump, Ms Carroll stated, “He came through the door, and he said, ‘Hey, you are that advice lady’.”

Ms Carroll replied, “Hey, you’re that real estate tycoon.”

She further told the court, “I love to give advice, and here was Donald Trump asking me for advice about buying a present. It was a wonderful prospect for me.”

Ms Carroll said Mr Trump and her made their way to the lingerie section where the ex-president found a body suit which he then directed her to wear, but she refused and that it was there the whole ordeal began after Mr Trump had shut the door.

“I was extremely confused and suddenly realising that what I thought was happening was not happening,” Ms Carroll said. “I didn’t want to make a scene. I was almost too frightened to think if I was afraid or not.”

She added, “His fingers went into my vagina, which was extremely painful.”

Then, she alleged Mr Trump inserted his penis.

Ms Carroll told the jury she had not had sex since.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump denied any wrongdoing in the case. In a post on his Truth Social site from October 2020, the ex-president rubbished Ms Carroll’s claims as a “hoax” and “complete scam.”

Mr Trump had insisted Ms Carroll was “not my type!”