Fact check: How many sexual assault lawsuits have been filed against Donald Trump?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, at least 25 women have publicly accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct since the 1970s ^[1]. However, the question specifically asks about sexual assault lawsuits, and the sources reveal a distinction between public accusations and formal legal proceedings.

The most prominent legal case is E. Jean Carroll's lawsuit, where a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse in 1996, awarding her $5 million ^[2]. This verdict was upheld by an appeals court, which found sufficient evidence of a pattern of inappropriate behavior, including testimony from other women and the infamous 'Access Hollywood' tape ^[3]. Notably, the jury rejected the rape claim but found Trump responsible for sexual abuse and defamation ^[2].

The allegations span multiple decades and include incidents at pageants, social events, and professional settings, with specific incidents documented from the 1970s to 2013 ^[4]. Trump has consistently denied all allegations across all sources ^{[1] [4]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question focuses narrowly on lawsuits but misses the broader context that while there are at least 25 public accusations, the sources don't clearly specify how many of these resulted in formal lawsuits versus remaining as public allegations ^{[1] [4]}.

Missing legal context: The sources indicate that Trump was found liable in civil court rather than criminal court in the Carroll case, which is an important legal distinction not addressed in the original question ^[2].

Political timing: One source notes that Trump was elected to another presidential term despite these accusations, highlighting how these allegations didn't prevent his political success ^[4]. This suggests that Trump's supporters and political allies benefit from framing these as unproven allegations rather than established legal findings.

Media coverage patterns: The comprehensive timelines provided by major news outlets like CBS News suggest that media organizations benefit from continued coverage of these allegations, as they generate significant public interest ^[5].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral but contains a subtle framing issue. By asking specifically about "sexual assault lawsuits," it may undercount the scope of allegations since the sources indicate many accusations never resulted in formal lawsuits ^[1].

The question also doesn't distinguish between civil and criminal proceedings, which is crucial context since the Carroll case was a civil matter where Trump was found liable, not criminally convicted ^[2].

Potential for minimization: Those seeking to downplay the allegations could use the narrow focus on "lawsuits" to suggest fewer formal legal challenges exist, while those seeking to emphasize the allegations could point to the broader pattern of 25+ accusations spanning decades ^[4].

The sources consistently note Trump's denials, but the question doesn't acknowledge this defense perspective, potentially creating an incomplete picture of the contested nature of these allegations ^{[1] [4]}.