According to several reports, Mueller’s lawyer attempted to use Swift’s reaction to the alleged groping against her, asking why she didn’t take a break if she was so affected, and she responded that other fans were already in the room and she didn’t want to “ruin” their experience.

She has previously described herself as “being frantic, distressed, feeling violated in a way I had never experienced before” and on Thursday, said she’d essentially gone on autopilot: “A light switched off in my personality. I just said in a monotone voice, ‘Thank you for coming.’”

She was also asked how she felt about the fact Mueller had lost his job over it and whether she was critical of her bodyguard, Greg Dent, for not stepping in, to which she replied: “No, I’m critical of your client sticking his hand under my skirt and grabbing my bare ass.”

Responding to the fact he’d lost his job, she replied forcefully: “I’m not going to let you or your client make me feel in any way that this is my fault. Here we are years later, and I’m being blamed for the unfortunate events of his life that are the product of his decisions – not mine.”

Swift’s attorney J. Douglas Baldrige said in his opening statement that the $1 she is seeking is symbolic, as she wants the case to serve as an example.

“She’s just trying to tell people out there that you can say no when someone puts their hand on you,” Baldridge said. “Grabbing a woman’s rear end is an assault, and it’s always wrong. Any woman – rich, poor, famous, or not – is entitled to have that not happen.”

If Swift is awarded additional damages, she plans to donate the money to relevant charitable causes.

The case is expected to conclude later this month.

Image: Rex Features

Taylor Swift recounts “despicable and horrifying” groping at sexual assault trial