First Thing: Final witness testifies in Trump civil rape trial

Carol Martin corroborates E Jean Carroll's account of aftermath of alleged rape, and judge keeps door open to Trump appearance. Plus, why aren't there better menstrual products?

• Don't already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here

Good morning.

The last witness in E Jean Carroll's civil lawsuit accusing Donald Trump of rape and defamation gave evidence yesterday, ending the evidentiary stage of the trial, which is expected to go to the jury in New York early next week.

What might Carroll be entitled to if she wins? Among the final witnesses was Ashlee Humphreys, a social media expert, who said if the jurors find in favor of Carroll she would be entitled to up to $2.7m for reputational damage alone after Trump accused her of lying when she alleged that he raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in 1996.

Who else testified? The jury also heard from one of Carroll's close friends, Carol Martin, who said the advice columnist visited her within two days of the alleged attack. She described Carroll as clearly agitated, anxious". Asked what she made of Carroll's claim that Trump attacked her, Martin said: I believed it then and I believe it today."

What would it mean if he is elected? The risk Robinson would pose if elected in November 2024 is real - polling is scarce at this stage but experts believe the race between Robinson and Josh Stein, his expected Democratic opponent, is tight. Republicans control the state house and senate, and the GOP expanded its lead in last year's elections.