Woman Confronts Trump in Defamation Case: “I Was Known As a Journalist, And Now…”

Woman Confronts Trump in Defamation Case: “I Was Known As a Journalist, And Now…”.

In a New York courtroom on the second day of the rape defamation trial, E. Jean Carroll, the woman Donald Trump was found liable of sexually assaulting, faced off with the former president.

Carroll, 80, is seeking over $10 million, alleging that Trump defamed her in 2019 when she first made her assault allegations public by stating, “She is not my type.”

“It means I’m too ugly to assault,” Carroll boldly asserted during the proceedings.

Asked about the damage to her reputation due to Trump’s comments, she explained, “Previously, I was known simply as a journalist, and now I’m known as a liar, a fraud, and a whack job,” quoting insults she claims Trump directed at her.

During the tense courtroom moments, Carroll’s legal team complained about Trump making audible comments regarding her evidence, suggesting a potential influence on jurors, as reported by CNN. The judge requested Trump to lower his voice when conferring with his legal team.

“Mr. Trump has the right to be present… That right can be forfeited,” the judge reportedly said. “I understand you’re probably eager for me to do that.” Trump replied, “I would love it.”

Following the day’s proceedings, Trump criticized the judge for refusing to delay the trial by a day, citing his mother-in-law’s funeral. “He said ‘absolutely not’… I thought it was terrible,” Trump said during a media briefing before heading to New Hampshire for a speech ahead of the state’s primary vote. “He’s a nasty judge.”

Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, objected to an answer from Carroll, drawing a sharp rebuke from Judge Lewis Kaplan, who reminded Habba to stand up when speaking in the courtroom, as per CNN.

The trial unfolds as Trump, in court, and on the campaign trail, uses multiple legal cases to rally supporters ahead of the New Hampshire primary election. Carroll stated she is in court “to stop him from telling lies about me.” Trump reportedly shook his head when Carroll accused him of assaulting her.

It is important to note that this trial is separate from a case last year where a New York jury found Trump liable for sexual assault in 1996 and defamation in 2022. Additionally, it is distinct from the four criminal cases and the civil fraud case Trump currently faces.

Trump’s courtroom appearances coincide with his ongoing campaign for the Republican candidacy in the November election against President Joe Biden.