A development reported by The Guardian on January 25, 2024, the legal clash between Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll unfolded as Trump testified in Carroll’s second defamation trial against him.
This marked Trump’s initial court testimony regarding Carroll’s assault accusation, but the proceedings were notably brief, lasting less than five minutes due to Judge Lewis Kaplan’s substantial restrictions on the scope of Trump’s testimony.
Trump affirmed his previous deposition testimony under oath but encountered limitations when attempting to address the specifics of the allegation. Judge Kaplan intervened, prohibiting discussion on the details and prompting Trump to assert, “That’s exactly right. She said something. I considered it a false accusation.”
During cross-examination, Trump acknowledged awareness of the prior trial but emphasized that this was his inaugural court appearance on the matter. Despite objections from Trump’s legal team, questioning touched briefly on his legal representation.
When queried about having an attorney at his last trial, Trump provided a succinct affirmative response, divulging little else.
Trump’s courtroom demeanor included a noteworthy incident where he interjected loudly, earning a stern reprimand from Judge Kaplan to lower his voice, emphasizing the challenge of managing Trump’s behavior within the courtroom.
Following Trump’s testimony, Carroll’s legal team called Roberta Myers, a former Elle editor, as their final witness. Myers spoke to Carroll’s professional reputation, refuting any personal disclosures regarding the alleged assault by Trump.
Trump’s lead attorney sought to undermine Myers by suggesting bias based on her voting history, but her testimony remained steadfast. Exhibits, including footage of Trump’s past denials and a deposition excerpt where Trump mistakenly identified Carroll, added to the contentious nature of the trial.
As the defense initiated its case, Carol Martin, a retired news anchor and former colleague of Carroll’s, took the stand. Martin’s testimony, recounting Carroll confiding in her about the alleged assault, provided insight into Carroll’s mindset and the challenges she faced in confronting Trump.
The defense’s line of questioning, attempting to cast doubt on Carroll’s credibility, faced objections related to unrelated matters.