NEW YORK – Former President Donald Trump faced the threat of expulsion from the Manhattan civil trial on Wednesday after repeatedly ignoring warnings to remain quiet while writer E. Jean Carroll testified against him. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan warned Trump that his right to be present at the trial would be revoked if he continued to disrupt the proceedings. Despite the warning, Trump continued to make remarks to his lawyers such as “it is a witch hunt” and “it really is a con job.”
In response to Kaplan’s warning, Trump sarcastically noted that he would love to be excluded from the trial. The exchange became tense as Kaplan told Trump that he couldn’t control himself in the courtroom, to which Trump muttered, “You can’t either.” After the trial, Trump criticized Kaplan on social media, describing him as “seething and hostile” and “abusive, rude, and obviously not impartial.”
Kaplan took action in response to a complaint from Carroll’s lawyer, who twice stated that Trump was loudly making false statements during the trial. The lawyer suggested that if they could hear Trump from their position in the courtroom, the jurors may have been able to hear him as well. Kaplan admonished Trump to keep his voice down to ensure the jury would not be influenced.
Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual abuse, testified that Trump’s attacks on her had shattered her reputation. She spoke about the impact on her personal and professional life, including the loss of her writing career. Carroll also revealed her concerns for her personal safety, detailing death threats she had received and the measures she had taken to protect herself.
This trial is focused on determining the damages Trump owes Carroll for remarks he made in 2019 while he was president. The previous trial already concluded that Trump sexually abused Carroll and defamed her, awarding her $5 million in damages. This new trial seeks to determine if Trump should be ordered to pay additional damages.
Carroll’s testimony was emotional as she read hateful messages she had received and lamented the loss of her reputation. She expressed her desire to restore her reputation and hold Trump accountable for his actions. Throughout the proceedings, Trump maintained his denial of any wrongdoing and continued to assert that Carroll’s allegations were false.
The trial is ongoing, and Carroll is seeking $10 million in compensatory damages as well as punitive damages. Trump’s legal battles have become a part of his campaign, as he attends the trial while also participating in campaign events. The judge’s warning to Trump about his disruptive behavior underscores the contentious nature of the trial and Trump’s combative approach.