In a New York federal courtroom, the defamation trial against Donald Trump unfolded as E. Jean Carroll’s lawyer asserted that the former president must “pay dearly” for defaming her when he denied assaulting her in the mid-1990s.
During the trial, Trump, currently engaged in a busy schedule of criminal cases and lawsuits alongside his 2024 presidential campaign, sat attentively in Judge Lewis Kaplan’s Manhattan courtroom. About six-dozen potential jurors answered a range of questions, from their prior involvement with the judicial system to their political beliefs. Trump, when asked if anyone felt mistreated by the court system, subtly raised his hand, prompting laughter from the gallery.
Nine jurors were selected for a trial expected to last three to five days. For security reasons, the jurors will remain anonymous and be transported to and from the courthouse from an undisclosed location.
In the opening statements, Carroll’s lawyer, Shawn Crowley, argued that Trump, as president, used “the biggest microphone on the planet” to defame Carroll after she publicly accused him of rape in 2019. Crowley contended that Trump “unleashed his millions of followers” to threaten and terrorize Carroll, who now reportedly sleeps with a gun nearby. Crowley emphasized that it was time to hold Trump accountable and make him “pay dearly for what he’s done.”
In response, Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, portrayed Carroll as far from a victim, asserting that her career had prospered after the accusations, and she actively sought attention. Trump, leaving for a campaign speech in New Hampshire, criticized the trial on Truth Social, calling it an “Election Interference Scam” financed by political operatives and claiming he had no prior knowledge of Carroll.
The trial focuses on what damages Trump should pay for defaming Carroll after her initial rape accusation. The alleged defamatory statements include Trump’s remarks like “Shame on those who make up false stories of assault to try to get publicity.” The jury will determine whether these statements harmed Carroll and, if so, the amount she should receive in damages.
Carroll had previously accused Trump of rape in 2019, describing an incident around 1996. Trump denied the charge, leading to a defamation lawsuit. The current trial will not revisit the sexual assault allegations but focuses solely on potential damages for defamation.
During the trial, Carroll’s lawyer presented evidence of threats and harassment she faced from Trump supporters online, arguing that Trump’s statements had incited violence. Trump’s lawyer countered, stating that Carroll sought a windfall for social media criticism and that her career needed a boost.
The former president, who was found liable for defamation in a 2022 trial, chose not to attend that trial. However, he expressed his intent to attend the Manhattan federal trial but will not be allowed to dispute the sexual assault allegations due to the prior ruling.
The trial has been marked by several contentious moments, including Trump raising his hand as a potential mistreated juror, and a dispute over the trial’s continuation during the funeral of Melania Trump’s mother. The potential juror pool included individuals with connections to Trump’s family or prior involvement with Carroll’s legal representation.
Trump’s lawyer argued that he could offer “considerable testimony” in his defense. Carroll’s legal team, led by damages expert Ashlee Humphreys, estimated damages ranging from $2.1 million to $12.1 million for reputational harm. Carroll seeks both compensation and punitive damages, emphasizing the ongoing nature of Trump’s statements against her as evidence of malice.
As the trial unfolds, it remains a high-profile legal battle intertwining issues of defamation, assault, and the potential financial repercussions for the former president. The outcome of this trial may significantly impact Trump’s legal standing and political trajectory.