LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman accused President Trump of retaliation in the wake of reports the Justice Department is probing funds Hoffman’s nonprofit made to help E. Jean Carroll’s litigation against the commander-in-chief.
“Trump’s newest accusation of me is absurdly false,” Hoffman, a frequent critic of the president’s, wrote Thursday in a prolonged post on X.
The feedback came after CNN reported that the Justice Department was probing Carroll for feedback she’d made in 2022 saying she never acquired outside funding for her fits, though Hoffman’s nonprofit made some contributions to her legal protection. The DOJ rejected the report.
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman accused President Trump of focusing on political enemies after reports surfaced that federal prosecutors were scrutinizing his support for E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuits. REUTERS
The Justice Department is, however, investigating Hoffman’s group, according to Axios and other shops.
Hoffman, a Democratic mega-donor, voiced indignation over the accounts.
“The premise of the investigation would be laughable if the subject matter weren’t so serious,” he wrote.
“Trump hopes that these fraudulent investigations will silence those who stand up to him. He is wrong. I will not bend the knee,” Hoffman added.
Hoffman last made headlines for showing in the Justice Department’s release of information tied to late financier and intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein. Email correspondence between the two mirrored a chummy relationship, though Hoffman has not been accused of wrongdoing tied to Epstein and has said he regrets the affiliation.
E. Jean Carroll won civil judgments totaling more than $88 million against Trump after juries discovered him liable for sexual abuse and defamation. AP Photo/John Minchillo
Chicago’s prime federal prosecutor denied that Carroll herself is under investigation.
“In light of widespread reporting and intense media and public interest into the E. Jean Carroll matter in New York, the Chicago US Attorney’s Office can confirm that it has not opened — and has never opened — a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll,” US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros said Thursday.
President Trump has denied Carroll’s allegations and continues to problem the verdicts against him. REUTERS
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche oversees the Justice Department amid questions surrounding reports of a federal inquiry tied to Carroll’s litigation. Getty Images
In 2019, Carroll sued Trump for defamation over feedback he made denying he sexually assaulted her many years earlier. She won the case and Trump was hit with $83.3 million in damages.
She sued again in 2022, with a court discovering the president liable for sexual abuse and defamation and awarding Carroll $5 million.
Trump has strongly denied all of the allegations and continues to problem the verdicts.
Neither Carroll nor Hoffman has been charged with a crime.
Both Carroll and the Justice Department declined to remark.
The Post has sought remark from Hoffman.
