Trump Set to Testify in E. Jean Carroll Defamation Trial Over Alleged Sexual Assault

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Former President Donald Trump is slated to testify in the defamation trial related to allegations by writer E. Jean Carroll, who claims Trump sexually assaulted her in the 1990s. Trump's testimony could take place as early as Monday, and he plans to be present in court. The trial resumed after a weekend break, and Judge Lewis A. Kaplan has imposed restrictions on Trump, barring him from asserting that Carroll fabricated her allegation or was motivated by financial or political considerations, based on a prior jury's finding of sexual abuse.

 

Trump's contentious relationship with the trial and the judge has been evident, with complaints about a "witch hunt" and a "con job" during Carroll's testimony, leading to a warning from the judge. Despite the restrictions on his testimony, Trump continues to express his disdain for the case, calling it a "made-up, fabricated story" and decrying a "witch hunt."

 

Carroll's lawyers have requested that Trump acknowledge and accept the court's limitations on what he can say before testifying. In a letter to the judge, Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, highlighted concerns that Trump might attempt to turn the trial into a spectacle for personal or political gain.

 

Trump is concurrently facing other legal challenges, including criminal cases and a civil fraud trial. He has used court appearances to argue that he is being persecuted by Democrats, presenting himself as a victim. Despite not being required to attend or testify in the civil case, Trump has chosen to do so, citing his perception of animus from the judge. Carroll, a former Elle magazine advice columnist, is seeking over $10 million in damages in this defamation case, separate from the $5 million awarded in the previous trial.

 

The trial is unfolding as Trump navigates the complexities of multiple legal proceedings while engaging in campaign-like rhetoric, portraying himself as a target of Democratic attacks. His ongoing legal battles and appearances in courtrooms are expected to intersect with the evolving landscape of the 2024 presidential primary season.

 

23.01.24

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