A federal judge issued a warning on Wednesday, threatening to remove former President Donald Trump from the courtroom during E. Jean Carroll’s civil defamation trial. The judge, Lewis Kaplan, made the statement after Carroll’s lawyer complained that Trump had been making disparaging comments within earshot of the jury.
Addressing Trump, Judge Kaplan said, “Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to consider excluding you from the trial. I understand you’re probably eager for me to do that.” In response, Trump expressed his willingness, stating, “I would love it.” The judge remarked, “You just can’t control yourself in this circumstance, apparently.”
Carroll, an 80-year-old former advice columnist, alleges that Trump sexually assaulted her nearly 30 years ago in a department store dressing room. The ongoing trial in lower Manhattan will determine potential damages Trump might owe Carroll after he publicly denied her allegations in 2019 during his presidency.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Carroll testified that Trump’s attacks in June 2019, following her public disclosure of the allegations, led to a barrage of abuse and threats. She recounted receiving death threats and expressed fear for her safety, stating, “I thought I was gonna get shot.”
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, detailed some of the threatening messages Carroll had received, including one suggesting the “penalty for lying about rape should be execution by hanging or firing squad.” Another message urged Carroll to “stick a gun in your mouth and pull the trigger and send yourself to HELL.”
Amidst the trial, Carroll’s legal team raised concerns about Trump’s comments made within the hearing range of the jury. The lawyer, Shawn Crowley, reported hearing Trump say, “It is a witch hunt” and “It really is a con job.” The judge was informed that some jurors were seated closer to Trump than Crowley.
The trial has been marked by Trump’s continued attacks on Carroll, both in the courtroom and on his social media platform, Truth Social. Despite his courtroom appearance, Trump persisted in labeling Carroll’s accusations as “false” and the case a “HOAX.”
Carroll’s team pointed to Trump’s ongoing attacks as a factor that the jurors should consider when determining potential damages. Crowley emphasized that Trump had made 22 attacks against Carroll on the day of her opening statements.
In May, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and for defaming her in a 2022 statement where he called her a “con job.” However, the jury did not find him liable for rape. Trump was ordered to pay a combined $5 million.
The current trial is restricted to assessing potential damages for harm caused by Trump’s 2019 statements and to discourage ongoing defamatory attacks against Carroll. Judge Kaplan has ruled that Trump cannot argue to the jurors that he didn’t assault Carroll, based on the previous verdict.
Carroll’s testimony highlighted the impact of Trump’s denials on her reputation and well-being. She described herself as now being “known as a liar, a fraud, and a whack job,” emphasizing the damage to her 50-year-long reputation.
The trial witnessed tense exchanges between Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, and Judge Kaplan. Habba sought an adjournment for funeral arrangements for Melania Trump’s mother, a request repeatedly denied by the judge. Judge Kaplan also rebuked Habba for attempting to introduce evidence improperly and making statements about different laws in front of the jury.
As the trial continues, Carroll’s team aims to establish the extent of the harm caused by Trump’s denials and seeks an appropriate amount in damages. The legal battle sheds light on the intersection of defamation, sexual assault allegations, and the impact on the reputation of the parties involved.