Trump Back In Court Over E. Jean Carroll Defamation Case — Rape Accuser's Lawyer Says, Former President Needs To 'Pay Dearly'

Following his Iowa campaign triumph, ex-U.S. President Donald Trump is once again bracing for the courtroom. This time, author E. Jean Carroll has resurrected defamation charges against him.

What Happened: According to a report from Reuters, Trump was present in a New York courtroom on Tuesday, facing accusations of defaming Carroll post her public sexual assault allegations. This marks the second time Trump is defending against such claims from Carroll.

Shawn Crowley, Carroll’s lawyer, asserted that Trump “used the world’s biggest microphone to attack Ms. Carroll, to humiliate her, and to destroy her reputation.” Carroll, 80, is seeking a minimum of $10 million in damages. The jury’s focus is solely on determining the damage amount Trump should pay, not the truth of the alleged assault or Trump’s subsequent denials.

Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, countered, suggesting Carroll was “basking in the limelight” following her accusations and memoir release. Habba contended Carroll was seeking a windfall due to the negative social media response.

Trump, 77, has expressed an interest to testify. However, U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan has barred him from claiming he didn’t defame or sexually assault Carroll or that she concocted her story.

The defamation lawsuit could potentially impact Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, as he could spend much of the year juggling between campaign rallies and courtrooms. After winning the first state contest in Iowa, he is currently leading in opinion polls for the subsequent New Hampshire contest.

See Also: Marjorie Taylor Greene Says Trump Will Carry Out ‘Mass Deportations On Day 1'

Why It Matters: Carroll’s lawyer told the Jury on Tuesday that Trump needs to “pay dearly” for defaming the author after denying assaulting her in the 1990s, according to a USA Today report.

Kaplan asked the jury pool if anyone felt they had been mistreated by the court system and it was then that Trump reportedly raised his hand evoking laughter from the gallery. "We know how you stand," the judge said.

This case has a storied history. Last May, a jury found Trump liable in a civil battery and defamation lawsuit filed by Carroll.

In June, Carroll was granted approval to proceed with a separate defamation case against Trump.

This year, the case took an unexpected turn when a judge ruled that the infamous 2005 "Access Hollywood" tape featuring Trump could be presented to jurors in the trial.

Photo via Shutterstock

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