Trump Expected to Attend E. Jean Carroll Trial Opening

Fresh off a win in Iowa, former President Donald Trump flew back to New York, landing early on Tuesday morning ahead of his second civil trial in New York this year.

On Jan. 16, the second of two civil suits brought against him by writer E. Jean Carroll begins. Ms. Carroll is now seeking $10 million in the defamation suit after winning $5 million last May in a related case against President Trump.

Last week, at the close of another civil case against President Trump for fraud in Trump Organization financial statements, he told reporters he planned to attend this trial, and as many others as his schedule would permit.

“Yeah, I’m going to go to it, and I’m going to explain I don’t know who the hell she is,” he said.

“I never saw this woman in my life other than I have a picture with her and her husband,” President Trump said. “I have no idea who this woman is. I have absolutely no idea. The whole thing is ridiculous, that this is actually a case.”

The legal drama stems from public allegations Ms. Carroll made in 2019, accusing President Trump of sexually assaulting her at Bergdorf Goodman in New York in the mid-1990s. He publicly denied the allegations, denied knowing Ms. Carroll, and suggested her claim was a publicity stunt to drive book sales.

Defamation Claims

Ms. Carroll sued President Trump for defamation in 2019, and later when New York State passed legislation to allow for sex abuse cases to be brought over a one year period regardless of the statute of limitations, she brought a second suit accusing him of “rape.”

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A jury found President Trump guilty of “sexual battery,” and U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, presiding over both cases, issued a summary judgment that found President Trump liable for defamation as well because the facts were the same in both cases.

President Trump had countersued, but the lawsuit was dismissed. The litigation also influenced an appeals court to deny his motion to dismiss the case based on presidential immunity, noting that he had raised other defenses and countersued rather than immediately raising presidential immunity when the case was brought years ago.

“In the event that defendant rests his defense case some time on Thursday, January 18, subject only to Mr. Trump’s testimony, the Court would grant a continuance until Monday, January 22, 2024, for the purpose of hearing that testimony,” Judge Kaplan wrote.

He noted that he would not delay the trial itself, which had been set some seven months ago, as it would cause inconvenience to all the jurors, court staff, and counsel. President Trump is expected to attend his mother-in-law’s funeral later this week, and a campaign event in New Hampshire.