Donald Trump's legal battle continues as he appeals a jury's verdict finding him liable for sexual abuse and slander. The appeal is set to be heard by three judges of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in response to a lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in 1996. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.
Preparations are underway for Trump to attend the arguments in person at a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan. His lawyers argue that the jury's verdict should be overturned due to the admission of certain evidence and the exclusion of other evidence during the trial.
Trump, who denies the allegations, expressed regret for not attending the trial. The court is not expected to issue a ruling before the upcoming presidential election, making the case politically significant for Trump.
Vice President Kamala Harris has criticized Trump over the verdict, highlighting his liability for sexual abuse. In a separate trial, Trump was ordered to pay Carroll an additional $83.3 million for defamatory comments he made about her while in office.
During the trials, Carroll testified that her life was negatively impacted by Trump's remarks, leading to death threats and fear for her safety. Trump's lawyers argue for a new trial, citing alleged errors in evidentiary rulings and questioning the credibility of witnesses.
Trump has maintained that Carroll fabricated the assault story to promote a book and denies any wrongdoing. His legal team also contested the use of a 2005 'Access Hollywood' tape in which Trump made controversial remarks about his interactions with women.
Carroll's lawyers refuted Trump's claims, asserting that the trial was fair and that there were no substantial errors. They urged the court to uphold the jury's decision.
