Donald Trump's motorcade was spotted leaving Trump Tower in New York City, en route to federal court for the second defamation case brought against the former president by Eugene Carroll. This trial follows a previous ruling last May in which a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll. The allegations center around remarks made by Trump during his presidency and after the initial verdict.
In today's trial, Trump is expected to be present, marking the first time he and Carroll will be in the same room since the alleged incident took place. During the first trial, Trump did not attend. The judge in this case has already provided guidelines on what Trump can and cannot do in court, following his recent victory in Iowa.
Upon arriving at the courthouse, Trump will participate in the jury selection process before the trial proceeds. This will be a significant moment for Trump, as he faces a claim for over $10 million in damages sought by Carroll, in addition to the $5 million previously awarded by the jury. Although Trump is not legally required to be present, he has chosen to do so for this trial.
The judge overseeing the proceedings is known for his expediency, and it is anticipated that a jury will be seated today, followed by opening statements. Both Carroll's legal team and Trump's defense will present their cases, with witnesses to testify. E. Jean Carroll is expected to take the stand again, and other witnesses, including a damages expert, will be called upon.
It is noteworthy that Trump's lawyers have expressed his desire to testify in this case, although there has been ongoing debate about the scope of his testimony. The judge has emphasized that this trial will not re-litigate the alleged assault or defamation, as Trump has already been found liable for both. Consequently, the focus of this trial will revolve around the issue of damages. The judge will have to determine what Trump can testify to without repeating previous aspects of the case.
Interestingly, Trump's legal team did not present an expert on damages, leaving him with no expert witness to counter E. Jean Carroll's claims. The trial is anticipated to last only a few days, as both sides present their arguments and evidence.
As the trial unfolds, all eyes will be on the courtroom to observe the interactions between Trump and Carroll. Ultimately, this trial will decide the amount of damages to be awarded, posing a significant financial consequence for Trump.
