In a setback for former President Donald Trump, a federal appeals court has denied his attempt to delay his defamation trial brought by E. Jean Carroll. The trial, set to begin in two weeks, will proceed as planned despite Trump’s efforts to use presidential immunity as a defense. The court’s decision comes after Trump lost an earlier attempt to assert presidential immunity, prompting him to seek additional time to consider his options. Although he still has the possibility of seeking review by the US Supreme Court, time is running out as the trial is scheduled to start on January 16. This latest development marks yet another legal challenge for Trump, who is appealing a previous verdict that found him guilty of sexually assaulting Carroll and defaming her in his statements. Now, a jury will determine the damages Trump must pay for his 2019 statements.
Title: Trump Loses Effort to Delay E. Jean Carroll Civil Trial
I. Introduction to the Trump defamation trial
In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has lost his attempt to delay his defamation trial brought by E. Jean Carroll. The trial is scheduled to begin in two weeks, and the federal appeals court has denied Trump’s motion to delay it. This article will provide an overview of the E. Jean Carroll case, Trump’s attempt to use presidential immunity as a defense, the court’s ruling on presidential immunity, Carroll’s previous lawsuits against Trump, the legal challenges that delayed the 2019 lawsuit, the verdict of the 2022 trial, Trump’s appeal of the verdict, the upcoming trial on damages, and the ongoing dispute over the admissibility of Trump’s deposition video.
II. Background on the E. Jean Carroll case
The E. Jean Carroll case involves a defamation allegation against Donald Trump. Carroll initially sued Trump in 2019 after he denied her allegation that he raped her in a New York department store in the mid-1990s. She filed a second lawsuit in 2022, under the Adult Survivors Act, for the assault and for statements he made that year. The case has garnered significant attention and has been subject to legal challenges and delays.
III. Trump’s attempt to use presidential immunity as a defense
One of the key defense strategies employed by Donald Trump in the E. Jean Carroll case was the assertion of presidential immunity. Trump argued that, as the President of the United States at the time of the alleged defamation, he was immune from civil lawsuits. This defense was aimed at having the case dismissed or delayed.
IV. The Second Circuit’s ruling on presidential immunity
The Second Circuit recently ruled that Donald Trump could not use presidential immunity as a defense in the E. Jean Carroll case. The court determined that Trump had waited too long to assert this defense and therefore waived his right to it. This ruling affirmed a decision by the trial court judge and paved the way for the defamation trial to proceed.
V. Carroll’s lawsuits against Trump
E. Jean Carroll has filed two lawsuits against Donald Trump. The first lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleges defamation based on Trump’s denial of Carroll’s rape allegation. The second lawsuit, filed in 2022, was brought under the Adult Survivors Act and includes the assault as well as statements made by Trump that year. These lawsuits have become significant legal battles between Carroll and Trump.
VI. The legal challenges delaying the 2019 lawsuit
The 2019 lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll has faced numerous legal challenges and delays. These challenges have prolonged the legal process and prevented the resolution of the case. However, these challenges did not deter Carroll, who continued to fight for her rights.
VII. The verdict of the 2022 trial
In a major development, a jury last year found Donald Trump guilty of sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll and defaming her in his 2022 statements. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages as a result of the trial. This verdict was a significant victory for Carroll and marked a turning point in her legal battle against Trump.
VIII. Trump’s appeal of the verdict
Following the verdict of the 2022 trial, Donald Trump has appealed the decision. Trump’s legal team is seeking to overturn the verdict and challenge the jury’s findings. The appeal process is underway, and it remains to be seen how it will unfold.
IX. The upcoming trial on damages
While Trump’s appeal is ongoing, another trial is set to begin next month to determine the amount of damages Trump will be required to pay E. Jean Carroll for his 2019 statements. This trial will focus on the financial compensation that Carroll is entitled to as a result of the defamation.
X. Dispute over the admissibility of Trump’s deposition video
A contentious issue in the E. Jean Carroll case is the admissibility of Trump’s deposition video. Trump’s attorneys have moved to block the jury in the upcoming trial from seeing the video, arguing that it should not be played since Trump is listed as a witness. Carroll’s lawyers, on the other hand, argue that the video should be allowed as evidence. The judge has not yet ruled on this dispute, which adds another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings.
In conclusion, the federal appeals court’s denial of Trump’s effort to delay the E. Jean Carroll civil trial sets the stage for the upcoming legal proceedings. The trial will determine the extent of Trump’s liability and the damages owed to Carroll. As the case continues to unfold, it remains a closely watched legal battle with significant implications for both parties involved.
