By Aaron Miller-
Former US President Donald Trump(pictured) will contend yet another courtroom battle, facing a defamation case filed by E Jean Carroll, who alleges sexual assault by the ex-president.
This trial, scheduled for Tuesday in Manhattan federal court, follows a recent setback for Trump as he faced the potential of a $370 million fine and a jeopardy to his real estate empire in a New York state court.
AD: Capeesh Restaurant
E Jean Carroll accused Trump of raping her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the late 1990s. Trump vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as attempts to boost Carroll’s book sales.
Subsequently, the former Elle writer sued Trump in 2019 for defamation, claiming his denials damaged her reputation. However, the statute of limitations prevented her from suing over the sexual assault itself.
In 2022, the Adult Survivors Act in New York allowed Carroll to file a civil suit against Trump for the alleged assault.
AD: Oysterian Sea Food Restaurant And Bar
The trial began in April 2023, resulting in a victory for Carroll. The jury found Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation, awarding her $5 million.
The upcoming trial will not revisit the sexual assault claim due to a ruling by Judge Lewis Kaplan. The judge stated that Trump cannot deny the sexual assault, as it has been conclusively established by the jury’s previous findings.
The current trial will focus on the financial penalties associated with Trump’s defamatory statements in 2019.
Trump’s legal predicament worsened as Judge Kaplan ruled that he cannot present any testimony or evidence suggesting Carroll fabricated the assault or had any motive to do so.
This limitation leaves Trump without a legal or factual defense, narrowing the trial to the question of damages.
Moreover, Trump faces an additional hurdle as the court allows testimony from Ashlee Humphreys, a marketing professor, to quantify the reputational harm suffered by Carroll due to Trump’s statements.
Humphreys’ testimony previously played a role in a defamation trial in Georgia, where Trump’s associate Rudy Giuliani faced legal consequences.
Legal experts express skepticism about Trump’s chances for success in this defamation case. Neama Rahmani, president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, notes the absence of a legal or factual defense, suggesting a swift resolution focused on determining damages.
Trump’s unique public persona and his combative approach to legal matters contribute to the uncertainty of the trial’s outcome. A crisis PR expert specializing in defamation cases remarked on Trump’s disadvantage, stating that his demeanor and aura may work against him.
The expert suggested that in any other scenario, Carroll might lose, but Trump’s personality makes it challenging for him to defend himself effectively.
The trial is set to unfold against the backdrop of several other criminal cases against the former president, adding to the complexity of his legal entanglements.
AD: Heritage And Restaurant Lounge Bar