In this courtroom sketch, Donald Trump sits with arms folded beside his attorney, Alina Habba in federal court, in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. Trump was threatened with expulsion from his Manhattan civil trial Wednesday after he repeatedly ignored a warning to keep quiet while writer E. Jean Carroll testified that he shattered her reputation after she accused him of sexual abuse. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Williams)
Donald Trump‘s loud utterances and mutterings inside of a courtroom in New York where writer E. Jean Carroll‘s second defamation trial against him is now unfolding prompted a stern warning from the presiding judge Wednesday.
“Mr. Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive… and if he disregards court orders,” U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan pronounced, according to a report from inside the courtroom by Reuters.
Kaplan continued: “Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to consider excluding you from the trial. I understand you are probably very eager for me to do that.”
“I would love it,” Trump replied, according to Politico. “I would love it.”
Kaplan shot back: “I know you would. I know you would. You can’t control yourself in this circumstance, apparently.”
Evoking schoolyard retorts, Trump then reportedly told the judge he couldn’t control himself either, the outlet reported.
Trump is not obligated to appear for proceedings and he could waive that right at any time. Notably, he was absent during opening statements on Wednesday.
The commentary Trump was heard spouting included a familiar refrain. He called proceedings in court a “witch hunt” and then when video evidence was admitted depicting him calling the first trial against him involving the writer a “witch hunt,” Politico reported that Trump commented, “It’s true.”
Lawyers for Carroll also told Kaplan that Trump could be heard saying this and more within jurors’ earshot. He also reportedly uttered “it really is a con job” during testimony.
NBC News reported that the judge asked Trump to quiet down before issuing the warning that he could be removed from the courtroom.
Trump also tried to have the judge recuse himself Wednesday for what he said was “general hostility,” according to CNN. Kaplan denied the request.
Meanwhile, around 2 p.m. on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, Courthouse News reporter Josh Russell noted the defendant had posted a message online tearing into the judge, claiming Kaplan had “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Donald Trump maligns SDNY judge Lewis Kaplan in TruthSocial post published at 2:00 pm during trial day. pic.twitter.com/oF2CQF7wHg
— JOSH RUSSELL (@jruss_jruss) January 17, 2024
The trial will determine damages Trump owes to Carroll, if any, after he openly denied her claims that he raped and sexually assaulted her in a department room dressing store over three decades ago. A judge already found Trump liable for sexually abusing her and defaming her and his attempt to dismiss the claims on appeal was rejected just a day ago.
Left: E. Jean Carroll arrives at Manhattan federal court, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)/ Right: In this courtroom sketch, E. Jean Carroll testifies on the witness stand in federal court, in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Elizabeth Williams)
Carroll said she had spent 50 years building a reputation as a professional writer only to become inundated with accusations that she was a liar. One disturbing message, her attorney shared with the court Wednesday, was from someone who told her those who lied about rape should be executed by firing squad.
Meanwhile, Trump continues to attack her online, saying she is seeking only money and fame and inside the courtroom, his attorney Alina Habba, CNN reported, used her opening statement to place blame squarely on Carroll for the threats she received. When Habba started to read harassing messages into the record before they were admitted as evidence, the outlet said the judge admonished her when jurors left for a break.
“You should refresh your memory about how it is you get a document into evidence,” the judge said.
