The closing arguments in the trial had just taken place. The columnist and author, E. Jean Carroll, is demanding more than ten million dollars (9.1 million euros) in compensation from Trump for defamatory remarks.
As Carroll’s lawyer began her closing arguments by stating that the former US president is a liar who thinks the rules do not apply to him, Trump abruptly stood up and left the courtroom. The presiding judge noted Trump’s departure in the record.
Columnist accuses Trump of rape and defamation
Carroll accuses Trump of raping her in a dressing room at the New York luxury department store, Bergdorf Goodman, in 1996. The longtime columnist for “Elle” magazine first made her accusation public in 2019 when Trump was president. The Republican then accused Carroll of lying and stated that she was not his “type.”
Prior to Trump’s disappearance, Carroll’s lawyer reiterated that the sexual assault had occurred and that Trump was lying. She emphasized that the jury’s verdict also served to punish Trump. “In this case, it is also about punishing Donald Trump for what he did and continues to do. We are punishing him for the malicious nature of his attacks,” said the lawyer. Trump was trying to “normalize behavior that could hardly be more abnormal.”
Lawyer accuses Trump of lying
She also presented a clip from Trump’s deposition in October 2022. At that time, the US presidential candidate mistakenly identified Carroll as his ex-wife, Marla Maples. This confirmed that Carroll was “definitely his type,” according to the lawyer. She said that it would cost at least 12 million dollars to restore Carroll’s reputation.
In the second trial, unlike the first where he had been completely absent, Trump had already appeared in person on several occasions and had been disruptive with numerous commentaries. As a result, the judge had already threatened to expel him. The 77-year-old is considered the Republican Party’s most promising candidate for the upcoming presidential elections in November. However, he is currently also dealing with several different court cases. Trump often uses the court dates as a form of campaign appearance.
