Former President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with a recent ruling from a federal appeals court regarding a defamation lawsuit brought by former “Apprentice” contestant Summer Zervos, as reported by HuffPost on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, in a decision issued on Tuesday, rejected Trump’s claim of absolute immunity and allowed Zervos to proceed with her lawsuit. Zervos had accused Trump of sexual assault in 2016.
The court determined that Trump’s denial of Zervos’ allegations and his characterization of her as a liar were not made in his official capacity as president.
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Trump’s former attorney, Tim Parlatore, commented on the ruling during an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, suggesting that Trump took the decision personally, particularly the court’s reference to him as “citizen Trump.”
Parlatore emphasized the importance of focusing on the legal aspects of the case rather than personal sentiments. He indicated that Trump’s legal team, which he described as competent, would likely appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
While Parlatore anticipated the Supreme Court might consider the case, he expressed doubts about the possibility of the ruling being reversed. He suggested that the Supreme Court’s intervention could offer clarity on the extent of presidential immunity, although he believed it wouldn’t alter the trial’s outcome.
Zervos’ lawsuit is among the various legal challenges Trump faces following his departure from office in 2020. In addition to this case, Trump is under investigation in New York and Georgia and is the subject of civil lawsuits from other women alleging sexual misconduct.
Trump has consistently denied all allegations against him, attributing them to political motives and characterizing them as part of a “witch hunt” orchestrated by his adversaries.
