Donald Trump reportedly “walked out” of the courtroom Friday just after a lawyer for E. Jean Carroll began arguing at the end of his libel trial.
That's according to the Associated Press, which said the former president's actions caused the Secret Service to collapse.
“Just minutes after attorney Roberta Kaplan began her closing arguments in federal court in Manhattan, Trump suddenly rose from his seat at the defense table and walked toward the exit, pausing to scan the room packed court as members of the Secret Service rose to follow him.” the news agency reported.
“The record will reflect that Mr. Trump has stood up and left the courtroom,” U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan said, interrupting Carroll's attorney.
ENTRANCE: Donald Trump just got up and left the courtroom as E's lawyer. Jean Carroll was beginning to make his closing argument.
The rogue judge also threatened Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, with jail time.
The walkout happened as Carroll's attorney, Roberta Kaplan, was trying to… pic.twitter.com/zPEUSEPw0O
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 26, 2024
Before the GOP presidential front-runner's departure, Judge Kaplan threatened to send Trump's lawyer, Alina Habba, to jail “for continuing to talk when he told her he was done,” the AP reported.
“You're about to spend some time in lockup. Now sit down,” the judge told Habba.
In his first comments after leaving, Trump said: “The courts are totally against me.”
“He wouldn't allow us to use the totally exonerated Anderson Cooper/CNN interview in either trial, but nothing in the second,” the former president said of the judge. “Our legal system is in shambles! This is another Biden-demanded witch hunt against his political opponent, funded and run by Radical Left Democrats.”
BREAKING: Trump makes first comments after leaving New York courtroom, says 'Courts are totally against me', says Clinton-appointed Judge Kaplan 'refuses to allow Anderson Cooper interview on CNN (below) by E. Jean Carroll where Carroll says, “Rape . . . pic.twitter.com/1reoVyFiln
— Simon Ateba (@simonstheba) January 26, 2024
In another comment on Truth Social, Trump noted: “I've been considered an A-list celebrity for many decades, so even decades ago, as no one knows what date or dates to refer to, because the woman accuser cannot tell the day. , month, season, year or decade, it would have been impossible for me to enter a crowded department store (surrounded by buildings I own), right in front of the cashier's counter, without having written about it on page six, and every other outlet at the time.”
Trump returned to the courtroom as Habba presented his closing argument: The lawyer insisted that Carroll “has not shown that he is entitled to any damages.”
Carroll claimed that Trump raped her nearly 30 years ago in a dressing room at the Bergdorf Goodman department store across from Trump Tower. A New York City jury ruled last year that Trump was not responsible for rape, but was responsible for sexual abuse and defamation, and was ordered to pay his accuser $5 million.
Trump has repeatedly denied the allegation, insisting he has “no idea who this woman is.” The denials led Carroll to file a second defamation lawsuit, claiming that his response caused damage to his reputation.
Judge Kaplan already found Trump liable in the second defamation case, with the current jury tasked with deciding how much Trump must pay Carroll in damages.
Here's a quick sampling of responses to the story, as seen in X:
When respect for the legal process takes a backseat, walking out is a defense of dignity.
Trump's departure is a powerful statement.
In a court where fairness is at stake, sometimes the strongest message is silence.
— Hank (@GCapital_LLC) January 26, 2024
Trump's departure is a bold statement against the absurdity of this trial. He is right to dismiss the ridiculous claims of Carroll's team. The $10 million lawsuit? Outrageous! It shows how they are trying to exploit the legal system to grab cash. This is not justice; it's a mockery.
— Frank (@FrankChronicles) January 26, 2024
This whole trial is a joke!
Seriously, this woman is looking for another payday and the New York courts will give it to her, no matter the evidence.
This was decided before we started
— Old School Eddie (@Old_SchoolEddie) January 26, 2024
Good for President Trump.
Carroll is one that doesn't deserve the time of day.
If anything, he has hurt real rape victims with his lies.
Trump should not waste another second with this ghoul.
— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) January 26, 2024
Trump will gain several points in the polls for this ridiculous display of yet another liberal charade. It's easily worth what you have to pay.
— First Words (@unscriptedmike) January 26, 2024
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