A Woman Is Never Too Old To Get Even

E. Jean Carroll

Jun 17, 2025

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You know how I lurve a date, right?

Welllll, today is my pub date.

I got out of bed, downloaded the audio book, and had a good laugh. Then I chose which flight suit I’m gonna wear today.

(I figure if Trump can put tanks on the streets. I can put a flight suit on my body.)

And now? Bah! I’m diving into the hideous “Funny” Controversy.

Which side are you taking?

Is it permissible for a woman…. OK. OK. Is it permissible for me to describe the behind-the-scenes goings-on during the two Trump trails as “funny?”

Or should I be exterminated off the landscape?

This is the row that’s been going on since yesterday morning. Here’s the tape. The flap began when I say the dreaded word.

So, what do you think?

Is a woman who has been assaulted not allowed to use the word “funny?” Not allowed to laugh at what goes on around her? Not permitted to be filled with glee about the absurdities and high jinx surrounding two trails where the defendant is one of the most powerful people on earth?

I admit I did not have an intelligent answer to Molly’s question about what Trump meant when he said “She’s not my type,” and I am preparing a better answer for today’s round of interviews.

But if the word “funny” upsets viewers (apparently they are more upset by it than by the President of the United States having to pay $90 million in damages to a woman because two unanimous federal juries found him liable for assault and defamation) what word should I use?

I ask your advice, Conflabbians: What’s a better word than “funny?”

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Yeeeeegods, it’s here!

Joanne Steele

E. Jean, my FAVORITE line in your MSNBC interview is "I'm an old journalist..." You are a HERO to all us "old professionals," women who are still vital, and smart and wise and creative, and full of wisdom and experience. You give us the backbone to keep on keeping on.

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3 replies by E. Jean Carroll and others

Debra

First things first: You look and sound absolutely fabulous. Like, seriously crushing it.

Second, how exhausted am I by the whole "a woman can't ______" fill-in-the-blank nonsense? OF COURSE you can! The courtroom is basically a comedy goldmine wrapped in serious business (which, yes, you totally nailed in that interview).

As a former criminal defense attorney (public defender life, represent!) and current judge pro tem (aka the substitute teacher of the legal world), I can confirm: there's ALWAYS a good laugh lurking in those hallowed halls of justice.

Here's the tea: Anyone coming for you about using the word "funny" is basically clutching their pearls while the patriarchy crumbles around them. They're still playing by the old rulebook where women must be _______ (insert outdated expectation here).

Your courage? Chef's kiss. Your style? Immaculate. The fact that you're owning your story with humor? Pure gold.

I'm already cackling about the book's behind-the-scenes moments—the sleeping, the gas passing, the photo mix-up with wife number two. It's HILARIOUS because it's real life, and real life is absurd!

But here's what's really funny (not funny): the old guard can't handle a woman taking ownership of her own narrative. She must be serious! She has no sense of humor! She can't take a joke! She's too emotional! Not emotional enough! She's... insert impossible standard here.

Gavin de Becker said it perfectly on Oprah: "A woman's biggest fear is that a man will kill her; a man's biggest fear is that a woman will laugh at him."

Ask E. Jean

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