In the ongoing E. Jean Carroll Federal defamation trial against Donald Trump, the opening statements concluded with notable remarks from both sides. Donald Trump had left before the opening statements, and E. Jean Carroll’s lawyer, Shan Crowley, began by highlighting Trump’s continuous defamatory statements during jury selection, making 22 posts that day alone.
Crowley reminded the jury of the previous trial in May, where Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and defamation. This trial focuses on additional statements made in 2019. Crowley emphasized the challenge of stopping Trump’s behavior and questioned how much money it would take.
On the other side, Alina Habba, representing Trump, violated a court order during her opening statement, claiming that Carroll benefited from the attention Trump brought her. She argued that Carroll sought fame and that her explosive allegations against a sitting president sparked a media frenzy.
Habba’s statements led to objections from Carroll’s lawyer, with Judge Lewis Kaplan intervening to prevent further violations of the court order. The defense argued that Carroll enjoyed the attention and was responsible for the media frenzy.
Before opening statements, Boris Epstein, another of Trump’s lawyers, attempted to speak but was questioned by the judge about his credentials and promptly asked to sit down.
Post-opening statements, Trump took to social media to express his dissatisfaction, complaining about the trial being a “hoax” and criticizing the judge’s former law clerk, Shan Crowley, for representing Carroll.
Despite the day’s controversies, the trial will continue, with Carroll’s lawyers seeking at least $10 million in compensatory damages and potential punitive damages. The court will determine the extent of damages based on Trump’s continuous defamatory behavior.
