Donald Trump has claimed he’s reducing quick his journey to Ireland to “confront” E Jean Carroll after his defence staff suffered a collection of setbacks at his civil rape and defamation trial in New York.
Speaking to reporters whereas {golfing} at his Doonbeg resort on Thursday, Mr Trump mentioned he would “probably attend” the trial, which is listening to its ultimate day of proof earlier than closing arguments subsequent week.
“I was falsely accused by this woman, I have no idea who she is – it’s ridiculous,” he mentioned.
“I’ll be going back early because a woman made a claim that is totally false, it’s fake.”
Former Elle recommendation columnist Ms Carroll, 79, is suing the previous president for defamation and battery, alleging she was raped in a dressing room at Manhattan’s Bergdorf Goodman in 1996 and her fame was “destroyed” when the previous president known as her claims a “con job” in a Truth Social publish in October 2022.
Judge Lewis Kaplan final week warned Mr Trump’s legal professionals that the previous president might be placing himself in additional authorized jeopardy after he described the lawsuit as a “scam” in a Truth Social publish.
Former US president Donald Trump taking part in golf at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Co Clare, throughout his go to to Ireland
(PA Wire)
Judge Kaplan additionally denied a movement for a mistrial by Mr Trump’s attorneys, and regularly scolded his lead counsel Joe Tacopina for his “repetitive, argumentative and inappropriate” questioning of Ms Carroll.
He additionally warned Mr Trump to “refrain” from making inflammatory feedback in regards to the case that would incite violence.
Speaking in Ireland, Mr Trump described Judge Kaplan as a “rough judge”.
“He doesn’t like me very much, he was appointed by Bill Clinton,” he mentioned.
He claimed Ms Carroll was a “Democrat” and that the lawsuit was a “political scam”.
“Because of that I have to leave Ireland and I have to leave Scotland where I have great properties, I have to leave early.
“I don’t have to but I choose to.”
E Jean Carroll arrives at a federal courtroom in Manhattan on Wednesday
(Associated Press)
Mr Tacopina denied Mr Trump would “confront” Ms Carroll when questioned in regards to the feedback by Judge Kaplan on Thursday morning.
The nine-person jury heard three days of testimony from Ms Carroll wherein she described in graphic element the alleged sexual assault after an opportunity encounter between the pair on the luxurious Bergdorf Goodman division retailer in 1996.
Two different Trump accusers, Jessica Leeds and Natasha Stoynoff, additionally testified to having been sexually assaulted by the previous president.
The jury was additionally performed the damning Access Hollywood tapes, wherein Mr Trump brags about committing sexual assault.
On Wednesday, Mr Trump’s defence staff advised the courtroom they’d not be calling any witnesses to testify within the case.
The jury is listening to from ultimate witnesses on Thursday, and might be despatched out to deliberate after closing arguments on Monday.
