In 2016, a woman using the pseudonym "Katie Johnson" filed federal lawsuits accusing Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein of sexually assaulting her at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse in 1994, when she was 13 years old. Johnson filed three separate versions of the lawsuit over the course of 2016, with the final case withdrawn in November 2016—just days before the presidential election—after Johnson's attorney stated she had received threats and feared for her safety.

The allegations were never tested in court. No discovery took place, no evidence was presented, and no testimony was taken under oath in a judicial proceeding. Media investigations conducted at the time were unable to independently verify Johnson's identity or corroborate the allegations.

Johnson first filed a complaint pro se in U.S. District Court, Central District of California in April 2016. The case was dismissed in May 2016 due to technical errors including improper filing procedures and failure to pay filing fee. She then refiled in U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York in June 2016 with attorney representation.

According to the complaint filed in New York, Epstein recruited Johnson in 1994 when she was 13 years old. The complaint alleged that Trump and Epstein raped her at a party at Epstein's Manhattan residence, that Trump struck her and threatened her and her family if she told anyone, and that Epstein also raped her and threatened to make her "disappear" like another girl. The complaint included a declaration from "Tiffany Doe," who claimed to have been present and witnessed some alleged conduct. An amended complaint was filed in October 2016 with additional details and witness declarations.

On November 2, 2016—four days before the presidential election—Johnson's attorneys announced withdrawal of the lawsuit. At a press conference, attorney Lisa Bloom stated that Johnson had received numerous threats and was "too afraid to show her face" or proceed with the case. Johnson did not appear at the press conference, and no further legal action was pursued.

Because the complaint was withdrawn before adjudication, the allegations remain unproven and disputed. Media investigations were unable to independently verify Johnson's identity or corroborate the allegations. Some journalists raised questions about inconsistencies in the filings and the involvement of an anti-Trump political activist in promoting the case.

The case received significant media attention in October and November 2016 due to the gravity of the allegations, the timing relative to the election, and the involvement of two high-profile figures. Coverage appeared in major outlets including The Guardian, The Daily Beast, Vox, and Snopes, with many noting the lack of corroborating evidence and the unusual circumstances surrounding the filings.

Sources

Case filings, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York (2016); Press coverage from The Guardian, The Daily Beast, Vox, Politico (October-November 2016)