In a New York courtroom, former President Donald Trump engaged in a noteworthy exchange with Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, as reported by Erica Orden of Politico. The judge emphasized that Trump has the right to be present at the trial, but that right could be forfeited. He expressed the hope that exclusion from the trial wouldn’t need consideration. In response, Trump provocatively stated, “I would love it.” Judge Kaplan, in turn, remarked on Trump’s apparent lack of self-control in such circumstances.
Trump’s decision to attend the trial, where his appearance is not required, has generated attention. CNN’s Paula Reid found it surprising, noting that it seems to be part of both Trump’s legal and electoral strategy to engage in a conflict with the judge.
The trial concerns the determination of damages in the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll against Trump. Carroll has accused the former president of raping her decades ago in New York City. A jury has already found Trump liable for sexual abuse and awarded damages for his subsequent defamatory statements about Carroll.
The exchange between Trump and Judge Kaplan was triggered by a complaint from Carroll’s lawyer, who raised concerns that Trump’s comments criticizing the court proceedings were audible to jurors. According to NBC, Trump was heard saying things like, “This really is a con job,” despite the judge instructing him to lower his voice. Trump reportedly also slammed his fists on the table and referred to the judge as a “nasty guy.”
Earlier in the proceedings, Judge Kaplan had a confrontation with Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, who repeated a request to postpone the trial. The judge sternly demanded, “I said sit down!” when Habba continued to speak out of turn. Habba expressed her displeasure at being spoken to in such a manner, but the judge insisted that the request was denied and ordered her to sit down, leading to further discontent from Trump.
“Mr. Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited,” Orden quoted Judge Kaplan telling the court, adding, “Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to consider excluding you from the trial.”
Trump reportedly shot back, “I would love it.” Judge Kaplan replied to Trump’s taunt, saying, “I know you would. I know you would. You just can’t control yourself in this circumstance, apparently.” Trump raised eyebrows this week with his decision to attend the trial, where he is not required to appear.
Subsequently, Trump’s legal team sought to have Judge Kaplan recuse himself, citing “general hostility” toward Trump. However, the judge promptly denied the motion. The developments in the courtroom underscore the intense dynamics surrounding the trial and Trump’s active involvement in the proceedings.
After Trump threw his hands up in the air and said, "I would love it," Judge Kaplan continued: "I know you would," Kaplan said. "I know you would. You just can’t control yourself in this circumstance, apparently."
— erica orden (@eorden) January 17, 2024
