Donald Trump, resilient and unyielding, faces Judge Lewis A. Kaplan in the second lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused him of sexual assault. A New York City jury previously partially sided with Carroll in a defamation case related to her allegations against Trump in a busy Manhattan store during the 1990s.
Despite uncertainties about the timing and the unnoticed incident in a bustling retail setting, the surprise lay in the partial favor granted by the New York jury last spring. Trump, maintaining his innocence, faces a new lawsuit for comments made about his innocence in the initial case, akin to a legal version of “Inception.”
During courtroom proceedings reported by The New York Times, Carroll testified about Trump damaging her reputation. Trump, at the defense table, audibly criticized the trial as a “con job” and a “witch hunt.” The unusual protests occurred during a civil jury trial over Carroll’s suit against him.
As tensions rose, Trump’s exchange with a lawyer for Carroll led to concerns about jurors hearing his comments. Judge Kaplan, who had clashed with Trump’s lawyer earlier, warned Trump about potential exclusion if he disrupted the trial. Trump responded with eagerness, stating he would love to be excluded.
In a retort, Kaplan, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, attempted to downplay the situation, suggesting Trump lacked control. Trump, undeterred, countered that Kaplan faced similar challenges, throwing his hands in the air.
A social media user observed, “While the judge tries to intimidate, Trump turns the tables with his boldness.”
Thomas Cooper