A late night social media post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump delivered sharp criticism directed at Judge Lewis Kaplan, the presiding judge overseeing his defamation civil fraud trial set to resume in New York. The remarks, reported by Newsweek on Thursday, January 25, 2024, painted Judge Kaplan as “extraordinarily hostile” towards Trump, hinting at a contentious day in court expected on Thursday.
The trial, previously delayed for a week due to reported illnesses of a juror and one of Trump’s attorneys, is anticipated to restart amid heightened tension. Judge Kaplan, who ruled in September 2023 that Trump had defamed former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll while dismissing allegations of sexual assault in the 1990s, now faces renewed scrutiny from the former president.
Trump’s social media statement expressed his reluctance to return to New York City, citing “False Accusations” that allegedly date back decades. He labeled the federal judge overseeing the trial as a “100% Trump Hater” and conveyed disbelief at the ongoing legal proceedings, asserting his innocence with the comment, “He knows I did nothing wrong, but is looking to do a number on me. Only in America!”
This civil trial in New York is distinct from a previous lawsuit where Carroll emerged victorious, accusing Trump of sexual battery and defamation. In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll at a department store and defaming her character, resulting in a $5 million damages award. This marked the first instance where Trump was legally held responsible for a sexual assault.
In a separate Truth Social post, Trump not only defended himself against Carroll’s accusations but also lashed out at his accuser. He denied any involvement in the alleged assault, claiming ignorance of Carroll before the lawsuit. Trump asserted that the lawsuit was a “FALSE ACCUSATION FORCED INTO THE PUBLIC EYE BY DEMOCRAT OPERATIVES,” likening it to previous controversies such as the Russia investigation.
The impact of the decision extends beyond Carroll’s case, as over a dozen women have publicly accused Trump of similar misconduct since 2016. Journalist Natasha Stoynoff and retired stockbroker Jessica Leeds, who testified under oath during Carroll’s trial, alleged sexual assault by Trump. Despite these allegations, they have not filed individual claims against the former president, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
