Donald Trump Threatened with Expulsion from Manhattan Civil Trial Amidst Testimony on Sexual Abuse Accusations
Donald Trump is facing the threat of expulsion from his Manhattan civil trial after repeatedly disregarding warnings to remain quiet during writer E. Jean Carroll’s testimony. Carroll accused Trump of sexual abuse, and she claims that he shattered her reputation. The judge, Lewis A. Kaplan, warned Trump that he would be excluded from the trial if he continued to disrupt proceedings. Despite the initial warning, Trump could still be heard making remarks to his lawyers, including calling it a “witch hunt” and a “con job.” Judge Kaplan expressed his frustration with Trump’s behavior, stating, “You can’t control yourself in these circumstances, apparently.”
In response to the judge’s warning, Trump called him a “nasty judge” and a “Trump-hating guy,” echoing his previous social media posts accusing Kaplan of being biased and hostile. This is not the first time Trump has criticized the judge; he has also made similar comments in another case involving allegations of inflating property values. However, Judge Kaplan denied Trump’s lawyers’ request for him to step aside from Carroll’s case.
Throughout Carroll’s testimony, Trump’s disruptive behavior continued. He could be heard making loud comments while sitting at the defense table, often leaning over to speak with his lawyers. Carroll’s lawyer, Shawn Crowley, expressed concern that the jury might hear Trump’s remarks as well. Judge Kaplan urged Trump to keep his voice down when conferring with counsel to ensure the jury did not hear it. However, during a break, Trump slammed his hand on the defense table and muttered in frustration when the judge refused his lawyer’s request to suspend the trial.
Carroll, a former Elle magazine advice columnist, was the first witness in the trial seeking to determine the damages Trump owes her for defaming her after she accused him of sexual abuse. She emotional testified about how Trump’s smears had impacted her life, resulting in the loss of her reputation and millions of readers. Carroll expressed her frustration with being labeled a liar and a fraud, stating, “Now, I’m known as the liar, the fraud, and the whack job.” She also shared the hateful messages she received from strangers, apologizing to the jury for reading the explicit language aloud.
Carroll revealed that she had faced death threats, which led her to take measures to ensure her personal safety, such as buying bullets for a gun she inherited from her father and installing an electronic fence. She also mentioned hiring security for the trial but admitted she couldn’t afford it. Despite facing hostility from Habba, Trump’s lawyer, and a clash with Judge Kaplan over attending Melania Trump’s mother’s funeral, Carroll remained determined to hold Trump accountable for his actions.
The previous trial in May concluded that Trump had sexually abused and defamed Carroll, awarding her $5 million in damages. However, this new trial focuses on additional remarks Trump made in 2019 while he was president. Carroll alleged that Trump forced himself on her in a department store dressing room in 1996 and subsequently attacked her credibility and sanity when she went public with her story. Trump denies all allegations, claiming that he never met Carroll and dismissing a photo of them together as a momentary greeting.
The proceedings continue as Carroll seeks $10 million in compensatory damages and additional punitive damages. It remains to be seen how the trial will conclude and what impact it will have on Trump’s reputation and future legal battles.
