- Jean Carroll testifies against Trump
- Trump faces civil defamation trial
- Trump denies assault accusation
Jean Carroll has testified that her sexual assault accusation against Donald Trump in the 1990s “shattered” her reputation.
The judge issued a threatening reprimand to the former president in the Manhattan federal court following his overheard critique of her testimony.
The former Elle columnist is suing Mr Trump for a second time in civil defamation court, seeking $10 million (£8 million).
Mr. Trump, 77, has and continues to refute her accusation.
A jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation in May of last year but not for rape; Ms. Carroll was awarded $5 million. Based on his 2022 statements that her story was a “conspiracy” and “hoax,” that trial was conducted.
The ongoing legal matter pertains to various statements made by Mr Trump during his presidency in 2019, in which he categorically denied her allegation as “completely false.” The judge has previously ruled that these statements were defamatory.
Additional damages will be determined in this second trial.
In 2019, Ms. Carroll made an allegation that Mr. Trump had coerced herself into her in the upscale Bergdorf Goodman department store in Manhattan several decades before their fortuitous encounter.
On Wednesday, he observed in court as the initial witness for the trial, the unbearable aunt who authored the lengthy Ask E Jean advice column.
Ms. Carroll, 80, stated, “I am here because Donald Trump assaulted me, and when I wrote about it, he denied it ever occurred.” His dishonesty severely damaged my reputation.
She told the court, following a fifty-year career as a journalist, “I am now known as a liar, a fraud, and a whack job.”
I have come to reclaim my reputation and prevent him from spreading false information about me.
Ms Carroll further stated that the former president made multiple remarks that sparked an onslaught of obscenities, death threats, and online hate, including the remark, “People like me should pay dearly.”
She stated, “I’ve paid about as much as it is possible to pay.”
Mr. Trump listened intently in the back row with his legal staff, shaking his head and staring at Ms. Carroll.
The plaintiff’s attorney stated that Mr Trump was overheard “loudly saying things” during the jurors’ morning break, including “it’s a witch hunt” and “she’s gotten her memory back.”
Trump warned about courtroom conduct
Judge Lewis Kaplan cautioned Mr. Trump to “exercise particular diligence in maintaining a low voice during his consultations with legal representation in order to prevent the jury from overhearing.”
The judge stated, “I hope I do not have to contemplate excluding you from the trial, Mr. Trump.” I’m sure you’re anticipating my eagerness to accomplish that.
As per court reporters, Mr. Trump responded with a sigh, saying, “I would absolutely adore it.”
In the past, the former president criticised Judge Kaplan, labelling him a “radical left judge who hates Trump.”
His attorney, Alina Habba, and the judge have had numerous disagreements, including at the beginning of Wednesday’s proceedings.
Declaring that having Mr. Trump remain in court would be “insanely prejudicial,” the attorney emphasized his request. He mentioned attending his mother-in-law’s funeral on Thursday.
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Judge denies further arguments
“The request has been denied.” “There will be no additional argument presented,” said Judge Kaplan. “None. Are you able to decipher that word? None.”
In addition to being reprimanded for repeatedly objecting during Ms. Carroll’s testimony, the attorney received instructions. He was told to maintain his location while speaking in front of the court.
While Mr. Trump was deposed in the previous trial, he refrained from appearing in person or providing testimony. Now, he is voluntarily undertaking these proceedings. On Monday, he is anticipated to provide testimony.
At this time, Mr. Trump is the Republican frontrunner for the presidency. He also awaits a New York civil fraud verdict and faces 91 felony accusations in four criminal proceedings this year.
He easily won the Iowa caucuses on Monday, the first of multiple state-by-state voting for the Republican presidential nominee.
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