Date.getTime is not a constructor

In a function I have the line:

const currentTime = new Date.getTime();

The code compiles just fine.
Also, ESLint displays neither warnings or
errors.
But when I run the code, I get an alert box giving the confusing
message Date.getTime is not a constructor.

What is wrong here?

I have noticed that there is no error if I don’t call the function
that contains the line above.

The following Stack Snippet reproduces the error.

function rightNow() {
  const currentTime = new Date.getTime();
  return currentTime;
}
console.log(rightNow().toString());
// ^^ No error if I comment out the previous line! ^^

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