Trump Furious Over Civil Rape Trial While Golfing Abroad
Former President Donald Trump, while on a golfing trip in Ireland, recently expressed his annoyance to reporters over having to deal with the ongoing rape trial against him, stating, “I’m a famous, rich, and political person that’s leading the polls by 40 points, and I have to go back for a woman who made a false accusation about me.” Trump Furious Over
Trump had been hitting the links in Scotland and Ireland while the civil rape trial brought by author E. Jean Carroll was ongoing in Manhattan. His lawyers recently informed U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan that Trump would not appear as a witness or present a defense on his behalf.
Despite officially notifying the judge, Trump told reporters he would return to the U.S. early to confront Carroll. “I’m going to go back, and I’m going to confront her because look, this woman is a disgrace, and it shouldn’t be allowed to happen in our country,” he said, adding that he would “probably” attend the trial.
However, according to the New York Daily News, his lawyer Joe Tacopina responded with a “no” when asked if Trump would “confront” Carroll. Trump’s previous social media outbursts regarding the trial earned him a reprimand from Judge Kaplan, who warned that he could open himself up to “a new source of potential liability.”
Trump’s lawyer claimed the judge was “extremely hostile” towards him. Carroll had accused Trump of raping her in a New York department store in the ’90s. She filed a defamation suit regarding statements Trump made about her in the aftermath of her accusation.
The claim was later upgraded to include a battery charge under New York’s new Adult Survivors Act. This act allows survivors of sexual assault to bring civil cases against their accused assailants even if the criminal statute of limitations has expired.
On Thursday, the jury heard Trump’s testimony through a videotaped deposition played before the court. Throughout questioning, a combative and often agitated Trump sparred with lawyers. Carroll’s lawyers are expected to rest their case Thursday afternoon, and a verdict is expected sometime next week.
However, the timeline may be delayed if Trump does return from his international trip to make an in-court appearance.