In a high-stakes defamation trial against former President Donald Trump, his attorney, Alina Haba, has begun her closing arguments after Trump briefly walked out during the plaintiff's lawyers' presentation. E. Jean Carroll, the plaintiff in the case, accused Trump of rape in the mid-1990s, which he vehemently denied.
Haba opened her closing argument by stating that Carroll is attempting to blame a former president for negative comments made on social media platforms, without taking any personal responsibility. The defense aims to distance Trump from the barrage of offensive emails, tweets, and messages that Carroll received following his denial of the rape allegations.
Notably, Haba drew a rebuke from the judge when she questioned who was covering the fees for one of the witnesses, Carol Martin, a longtime friend of Carroll. Martin testified that she was unaware of who was paying her fees. Haba referenced this during her closing statement, further irritating the judge. In a stern warning, the judge cautioned Haba about violating his instructions again, implying potential consequences.
Earlier in the day, Carroll's attorney presented her closing arguments, advocating for Trump to be held financially accountable. The attorney contended that the only way to prevent Trump from repeating defamatory statements previously ruled upon by a jury was to impose substantial monetary damages. The plaintiff's legal team is seeking millions of dollars in both compensatory and punitive damages.
Carroll's lawyers assert that this trial serves as a test of whether Trump is held to the same legal standards as the rest of society. They argue that the case should serve as a punishment for Trump's controversial actions and his failure to honor the prior jury's decision. Their claim is supported by Trump's repetition of the disputed remarks during a recent town hall, immediately following the jury's ruling.
Despite his earlier departure, Trump has since returned to the courtroom, listening to the closing arguments presented by his defense team. The proceedings are expected to continue for approximately another half hour.
Today's court session has been marked by escalating tension between the judge and Haba, with the judge warning of potential consequences and even threatening to incarcerate the defense attorney. The closing arguments are a critical moment in this high-profile trial, as both sides make their final case before the jury's deliberation.
As the trial nears its end, the verdict will determine whether Carroll's claims against Trump are defamatory or whether Trump's statements about her were protected under his right to free speech. All eyes are on the courtroom as this consequential legal battle unfolds.
