Judge: Trump Must Sit for Deposition in Defamation Suit
On Wednesday, US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan rejected former Pres. Trump's request for delayed testimony, instead ordering him to answer questions under oath on Oct. 19 in a defamation lawsuit lodged by writer E. Jean Carroll.
Facts
- On Wednesday, US District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan rejected former Pres. Trump's request for delayed testimony, instead ordering him to answer questions under oath on Oct. 19 in a defamation lawsuit lodged by writer E. Jean Carroll.
- Carroll, a longtime columnist for Elle magazine, says Trump sexually assaulted her in an upscale Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-90s. She filed the lawsuit in 2019, saying Trump defamed her with his public denials.
- Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, responded: "we look forward to establishing on the record that this case is, and always has been, without merit." Meanwhile, Carroll's attorney Roberta Kaplan stated she was looking forward to "moving forward to trial with all dispatch."
- Judge Kaplan criticized Trump's efforts to delay the lawsuit and his production of "virtually" no documents, saying "the defendant should not be permitted to run the clock out on plaintiff's attempt to gain a remedy for what allegedly was a serious wrong."
- Carroll's attorney also reasserted Carroll will be suing Trump again next month under a new New York law — called the Adult Survivors Act — that opens up the statute of limitations on old abuse cases.
Sources: NBC, Guardian, PBS NewsHour, CNN, and Business Insider.
Narratives
- Democratic narrative, as provided by The Atlantic. You can add this case to the long list of legal troubles Trump is currently facing. Unfortunately, it seems that no matter the number, the chances that any of the cases will be successful are slim to none, which will only encourage his followers. The only absolute protection against him is the ballot box, and to hope he doesn't return to a position of power in the future.
- Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by FOX News. While these are serious accusations, they are just that: allegations. This lawsuit against Trump for defending himself is nothing more than an attempt to grasp at straws after Carroll's failed book that smeared Trump's name and conflicting narratives. It remains to be seen whether these allegations are true — until then, it's innocent until proven guilty.
