New York, January 16 – Former U.S. President Donald Trump is gearing up for a second legal showdown as he faces another civil trial against E. Jean Carroll, the writer who accused him of rape decades ago. The courtroom drama is set to unfold in Manhattan federal court, where a jury will deliberate on additional damages Trump may owe Carroll for alleged defamation during his presidency.
In May of the previous year, a separate jury ordered Trump to pay $5 million to Carroll for sexual abuse in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room and subsequent defamation. The upcoming trial aims to assess the extent of further compensation owed for similar accusations in 2019.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, overseeing both cases, has restricted Trump from denying the allegations or asserting Carroll’s fabrication. Trump’s attempts to distance himself from Carroll’s account, claiming it was a ploy to boost her memoir sales, have been sidelined.
Carroll, now 80, seeks $10 million in compensatory damages along with punitive damages. Trump, 77, is appealing the initial $5 million award and retains the option to appeal any decision from the second trial, potentially extending the legal saga for years.
Amidst the legal battle, Trump has intensified public attacks on Carroll, making unfounded claims on his Truth Social website. He has also targeted Judge Kaplan, labeling him a “terrible, biased, irrationally angry Clinton-appointed judge.”
Simultaneously, Trump faces 91 felony counts in separate indictments and is a defendant in the New York attorney general’s civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization. The legal entanglements have become a focal point in Trump’s bid for the Republican nomination to challenge President Joe Biden in the upcoming election.
Trump’s recent courtroom appearances featured vehement criticisms of the judicial system, with allegations that the cases against him aim to thwart his pursuit of a second White House term. Despite the legal challenges, Trump maintains a lead in the race for the Republican nomination.
Judge Kaplan’s pre-trial rulings may pose obstacles for Trump’s defense strategy, limiting his ability to contest Carroll’s rape claim and introducing evidence such as the infamous 2005 “Access Hollywood” video. The trial’s outcome could significantly impact Trump’s political trajectory, adding another layer to his complex legal landscape.
