Donald Trump Testifies in Civil Defamation Trial Against E. Jean Carroll
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump took the stand in a Manhattan federal courthouse on Thursday to testify in a civil defamation trial against writer E. Jean Carroll. The trial revolves around Trump’s 2019 comments about Carroll, who accused him of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s and then defaming her when she publicly accused him. Carroll is seeking at least $10 million in damages.
Trump, who had just secured a third straight nomination from the New Hampshire GOP for a rematch with President Joe Biden, appeared on the witness stand for less than five minutes. However, his testimony was not without controversy, as Judge Lewis Kaplan admonished him multiple times. Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, first asked him if he stood by his previous denial of Carroll’s allegations, to which he responded, “100% yes.” When asked why he denied the allegation, Trump replied, “She said something that I considered a false accusation – totally false.” However, Judge Kaplan intervened and instructed the court to strike everything Trump said after his initial confirmation.
During the cross-examination by Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, Trump’s testimony was cut even shorter. And just like that, the drama came to an end. It is worth noting that Trump’s decision to testify was not required by the court, but he chose to do so anyway. This decision seemed to align with Trump’s narrative that he is a victim of a conspiracy aimed at blocking his return to office and damaging his personal and business reputation.
Although Trump used the courtroom as a political platform, it is important to remember that this trial was not about whether he sexually assaulted or defamed Carroll. The previous jury had already found in her favor. Trump’s comments were only heard by the judge, lawyers, and reporters present at the hearing. It was not the first time he used a trial as an opportunity to voice his political opinions, as he did during a separate civil fraud trial in New York earlier this month.
The defense team, led by Alina Habba, attempted to undermine Carroll’s claims of safety concerns resulting from Trump’s disparaging statements. They pointed to texts in which Carroll wrote to her longtime friend Carol Martin, stating that she had no security concerns at the time. Habba also questioned Martin about whether Carroll enjoyed the attention that came with her lawsuits against Trump, to which Martin replied that it was true “at different times in early years.” Martin also admitted regret over earlier text messages in which she made negative remarks about Carroll.
On the other side, Carroll’s lawyers played videos for the jury that showcased Trump’s past statements. One video was from a deposition in a separate civil fraud case, where Trump denied knowing Carroll and called her a “liar” and a “sick person.” These videos, along with other depositions and media statements, aimed to highlight Trump’s disparagement of Carroll and his dismissal of her claims.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Friday morning, and the jury could have the case by lunchtime. The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for both Trump and Carroll, as it will determine whether he will face a multimillion-dollar jury verdict or if she will be denied the compensation she seeks.
In conclusion, Thursday’s courtroom proceedings provided a glimpse into the ongoing legal battle between Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll. While Trump’s testimony was brief, his decision to take the stand highlighted his desire to shape the narrative around his alleged misconduct. As the trial comes to a close, all eyes are on the jury, who will ultimately decide the outcome of this high-profile case.