In a scene that could rival any daytime courtroom drama, former President Donald Trump found himself on the brink of being shown the courtroom door – not for his infamous tweets, but for his less-than-silent mutterings during a civil defamation trial against him. It seems even in the courtroom, Mr. Trump couldn’t resist sharing his thoughts, albeit in a not-so-whispered manner.
The stage was set in the court of U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, a veteran of the bench since 1994. The plot thickened when Trump, seated at the defense table, began muttering comments like “it’s a witch hunt” and “it really is a con job” – echoing sentiments he’s shared publicly about the case. It’s like he forgot that inside voices exist, or that courtrooms aren’t the best places for editorial commentary.
Judge Kaplan, apparently not a fan of unsolicited side notes, issued a stern warning: “Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to consider excluding you from the trial.” To which Trump, in a move that could make scriptwriters envious, threw up his hands and exclaimed, “I would love it. I would love it.” The judge, clearly not amused, shot back with a quip worthy of a sitcom: “You just can’t control yourself in this circumstance, apparently.”
The case, brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, accuses Trump of defamation over derogatory comments he made about her. This wasn’t Trump’s first rodeo with Carroll in court – a previous jury awarded her $5 million in damages after finding that Trump sexually abused and defamed her. However, this time around, Trump opted for a front-row seat to the legal theatrics.
After a lunch break (presumably not catered by Trump Grill), one of Trump’s lawyers, Michael Madaio, requested Judge Kaplan to recuse himself, citing “general hostility” toward the defense. Kaplan’s response? A succinct “Denied.”
Meanwhile, Carroll testified about how Trump’s comments affected her, saying she went from being known as a writer to being labeled a liar and a “whack job.” Talk about a career shift! She also addressed the barrage of derogatory social media comments she received, adding a touch of dark humor with: “It makes it hard for a girl to get up in the morning.”
As the trial continued, Trump’s social media activity didn’t take a back seat. He kept up his digital denigration of Kaplan and the case, calling it a “hoax” and other choice terms, proving that in the world of Trump, the show must go on – even in court.
Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, suggested Carroll enjoyed the attention from her allegations, painting her as a publicity-seeker. Carroll retorted that speaking up was important to show that women can win trials and shouldn’t be silenced – a mic-drop moment if there ever was one.
In a trial that’s part legal proceeding, part reality TV, and all drama, one thing is clear: the courthouse has become the latest stage for the ongoing saga of Donald Trump. Whether he’s in the Oval Office or the defendant’s seat, Trump ensures there’s never a dull moment. Stay tuned for the next episode in this legal soap opera – same Trump-time, same Trump-channel.
