In a swift conclusion to the defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll against Donald Trump, the former U.S. president remained resolute in dismissing Carroll’s claims of sexual abuse. Trump, under the scrutiny of the federal court in Manhattan, reaffirmed his earlier stance that Carroll’s accusation of rape was nothing more than a fabricated story.
When questioned by his lawyer, Alina Habba, Trump unequivocally asserted the accuracy of his statements made during a deposition in October 2022. The courtroom drama intensified as Carroll’s legal team played video excerpts from the deposition, where Trump derided the former Elle magazine advice columnist as “mentally sick” and a “whack job,” threatening legal action.
Trump adamantly insisted that the alleged incident at Bergdorf Goodman in the mid-1990s, where Carroll claims he raped her, never occurred. The 80-year-old Carroll is seeking a substantial sum of at least $10 million in damages over Trump’s vehement denial in June 2019, during his presidency.
The legal battle took a familiar turn as Trump accused Carroll of concocting the rape story to boost sales of her memoir. In a déjà vu moment, Trump faced a similar order to pay Carroll $5 million in a previous trial last May, which he is currently appealing.
However, the courtroom drama was cut short, with Trump spending a mere four minutes on the witness stand. U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, overseeing both trials, firmly rejected any attempts at revisiting the previous jury’s findings, which had concluded that Trump had defamed Carroll. The judge emphasized the binding nature of those findings in the current trial.
The high-stakes case has become entwined with Trump’s political ambitions to reclaim the White House. The 77-year-old Republican frontrunner has juggled between the courtroom and campaign stops, utilizing every opportunity to criticize Carroll, the judge, and the judicial process both online and at press conferences.
Kaplan exercised his authority by striking most of Trump’s testimony from the record, limiting the jury’s consideration during deliberations. Trump’s defense, led by Habba, highlighted his intent to defend himself, his family, and the presidency. However, the judge instructed jurors to disregard this statement.
As the four-day trial nears its end, closing arguments are anticipated on Friday. The proceedings took an unexpected turn when Trump, not present at the first trial, claimed ignorance about Carroll and the events surrounding the case. Kaplan swiftly reprimanded Trump, stating, “I’m sorry, Mr. Trump, you are interrupting these proceedings by talking loudly.”
The jury’s focus remains on determining the financial repercussions for Trump, assessing damages to Carroll’s reputation, potential punitive sums, and measures to prevent further defamation. Carroll must convince the jury of her case by a preponderance of evidence, facing off against Trump’s legal team, which argues for nominal or zero damages.
A damages expert, testifying on Carroll’s behalf, asserted that the reputational damage from Trump’s 2019 comments could reach as high as $12.1 million. Trump’s defense contends that Carroll actively sought attention and adulation by coming forward.
The trial witnessed a notable defense witness, Carol Martin, a former New York TV news anchor and a close friend of Carroll. Martin’s testimony aimed to depict Carroll’s enjoyment of newfound fame, although she later regretted using hyperbolic language.
With Carroll’s lawyers wrapping up their case, the trial’s conclusion awaits the jury’s deliberations, leaving the outcome of this high-profile legal battle hanging in the balance.
