E. Jean Carroll Talks Trump Trial at the 2024 Time 100 Gala

E. Jean Carroll attends the 2024 TIME100 Gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, on April 25, 2024. Credit - Dimitrios Kambouris—Getty Images for TIME

On Thursday night, guests gathered in New York City to celebrate the 2024 TIME100, a list that ran the gamut from Hollywood's brightest stars to global leaders and changemakers. One of the night's most significant honorees, E. Jean Carroll, was surprised that she was included on this year's list—but she shouldn't have been. Last year, Carroll made headlines when she was awarded $5 million after a Manhattan jury found Trump liable for defamation and sexual abuse in a lawsuit she filed against him for an alleged rape in the 1990s, giving hope to survivors everywhere for justice.

While attending the TIME100 Gala in New York City on Thursday night, Carroll weighed in on Trump's current hush money criminal trial, which began in a downtown Manhattan court last week. Carroll was hopeful that Trump's trial would bring to light the truth about the former president's actions.

Read More: E. Jean Carroll’s Victory Shows the #MeToo Movement Is Far From Dead

"I think that it’s a New York jury, they’re the smartest in the world, with all political backgrounds," she told TIME at the event. "They will make the right decision."

With Trump emerging as the Republican candidate for the 2024 presidential election, Carroll also stressed the importance of voters considering which candidates would reflect their values, especially when it came to the future of reproductive rights.

"The main question we need to ask of our candidates is: do women have the rights over their own bodies?"

The TIME100 Gala is TIME’s annual celebration of the TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people. The Gala brings together icons, leaders, change-makers, and celebrities from across industries and nations for one lively evening of meaningful dialogue and celebration. This year’s Gala features live performances from Dua Lipa and Fantasia Barrino, two honorees on the 2024 TIME100 list.

TIME is teaming up with ABC to bring viewers inside the exclusive TIME100 Gala with a special television event. TIME100: The World’s Most Influential People, produced in partnership with P&G, airs Sunday, May 12 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC, and the next day on Hulu, featuring host Taraji P. Henson and appearances by Patrick Mahomes, Maya Rudolph, and more.

The TIME100 Gala was presented by Booking.com, Citi, Merck, Northern Data Group, Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch Whisky, and Verizon.

Write to Cady Lang at cady.lang@timemagazine.com.