Former President Trump said he would miss E. Jean Carroll’s trial on Thursday so he could attend his mother-in-law’s funeral, accusing the judge presiding over the case of being “despicable” for not adjourning court proceedings for the day.
“As you know, the first lady’s mother died. The funeral is tomorrow,” Trump said at a news conference in New York City after spending the day in court. “And we’ll assume that for a trial like this, it’s not an emergency in terms of time, the judge must be very nice, and they’ll let me go because I want to be at every day of the trial because I see what’s going on. in the first one where I was asked not to go by the lawyer very much – they said it was humiliating, there was no evidence, there was nothing – so I didn’t go, and I understood exactly what he meant when he said it was humiliating. There is no reason to go and you shouldn’t.”
Trump said this time, because “the judge is a radical Trump hater,” he would “go to all days.”
Former US President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference after attending the second civil trial of E. Jean Carroll in New York City January 17, 2024. REUTERS
“So, it got really bad because we asked to just postpone the trial for one day so I can go to the funeral tomorrow and then we can start Friday or Monday or whenever they want,” Trump explained. “And he said, absolutely not, the trial will continue as it is.”
Trump said the judge said, “You can go to the funeral or you can go to the trial, but you can’t do both.”
“I thought it was horrible. I think it’s terrible,” Trump continued. “So he’d rather I miss the funeral or go to the funeral and miss the trial.”
E. Jean Carroll leaves federal court with her attorney Roberta Kaplan in the middle of her defamation trial against former President Donald Trump on January 17, 2024. Shutterstock
He added: “That’s a bad guy. He is a bad judge. He’s a man who hates Trump. And it was clear to everyone in court that it was shameful, frankly, what happened. It’s a shame.”
Trump referred to Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, who he said was a “Clinton appointee.”
Former first lady Melania Trump’s mother, Amalija Knavs, died last week at the age of 78.
Former President Trump said he will attend the funeral of his mother-in-law, Amalija Kna, on Thursday. Paulette Martin / SplashNews.com
“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija,” the former first lady wrote in a post on X.
“Amalija Knavs is a strong woman who always carries herself with grace, warmth, and dignity,” Melania wrote. “She was completely devoted to her husband, daughter, grandchildren, and son-in-law.”
“We will miss him immensely and continue to respect and love his legacy,” he added.
Amalija Knavs died last week at the age of 78. Paulette Martin / SplashNews.com
After winning the Iowa Caucuses on Monday night, Trump thanked his late mother-in-law in his victory speech.
“I want to thank my incredible wife, the first lady, I would say the former and maybe the future, but more importantly than Melania, I want to thank her incredible and beautiful mother who passed away a few days ago, ” said Trump. “And he’s up there, up there. He looked down on us and he was very proud of us. And I just want to say to Amalia, you are special, one of the most special people I have ever known.”
The funeral is expected to be held Thursday in Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump has been in court this week as part of a trial for civil defamation damages stemming from Carroll’s lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted her in a department store dressing room in the 1990s.
The second trial was held after a federal jury in New York City ruled in May that Trump was not responsible for rape but was responsible for sexual abuse and defamation. The former president was ordered to pay $5 million.
Carroll, 79, claims Trump raped her at the Bergdorf Goodman department store across the street from Trump Tower in Manhattan in 1996.
A sketch shows E. Jean Carroll testifying before Judge Lewis Kaplan as former US President Trump watches a recording of himself appearing in a CNN Town Hall event during the second civil trial. Reuters
According to Carroll, the two had a chance to go into the store, where Trump was shopping for a gift for “a girl.” She said she asked him for advice, and the two shopped together before he pushed her into a dressing room and assaulted her.
Trump vehemently denied the allegations, and his denial led Carroll to slap Trump with a defamation suit, claiming that his response caused his reputation to be in harm’s way.
Trump and his legal team insisted that Carroll’s claims were fabricated, with the former president’s initial reaction including accusations that Carroll was motivated by wanting to sell copies of his book.
Former President Donald Trump’s appearance in court this week is part of a trial for civil defamation damages stemming from Carroll’s lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted her. Getty Images
In an exclusive interview shortly after the jury delivered its verdict, Trump told Fox News Digital that he had “absolutely no idea who this woman is.”
“This decision is shameful,” he told Fox News Digital at the time. “It’s a continuation of the biggest political witch hunt in history.”
The former president told reporters last week that he plans to testify in his defense in the current trial, saying he will “make it clear I don’t know who he is.”
Carroll, 80, plans to testify about the damage to his career and reputation resulting from Trump’s public statements. He is seeking $10 million in compensatory damages and millions more in punitive damages.
Nine jurors have been selected for the trial, which Kaplan said will likely last three to five days. Testimony will begin Wednesday.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
