Trump testifies in E. Jean Carroll defamation trial | CNN Politics

Trump testifies in E. Jean Carroll defamation trial

By Lauren del Valle, Kara Scannell, Allison Morrow and Dan Berman, CNN

Updated 6:00 PM EST, Thu January 25, 2024

Republican candidate for President Donald Trump speaks during the Commit to Caucus Rally at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno on Dec. 17, 2023.

Video Ad Feedback

Trump makes quick appearance on the witness stand. Here's what he said

3:19 • Source: CNN

Republican candidate for President Donald Trump speaks during the Commit to Caucus Rally at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno on Dec. 17, 2023.

Trump makes quick appearance on the witness stand. Here's what he said

3:19

What we covered here

Trump takes the stand: Former President Donald Trump briefly testified Thursday in his defense at the civil defamation trial in New York, saying he did not instruct anyone to harm E. Jean Carroll and that he wanted to defend himself, his family and the presidency.
What happens next: The trial will decide how much money in damages the former president must pay Carroll. Both sides have rested their cases and the jury will hear closing arguments and begin deliberations tomorrow.
Trump on trial and on the campaign trail: Trump has been splitting his time between the campaign trail and the courtroom, clashing with the judge who threatened to remove him from court last week.
More about the case: Carroll, a former magazine columnist, alleged Trump raped her in a department store in the mid-1990s and then defamed her when he denied her claim. In a separate trial last year, a civil jury found Trump sexually assaulted Carroll and defamed her in 2022 statements. The judge previously ruled that the verdict would carry over to this defamation trial.

Our live coverage has ended. Scroll through the posts below to see how the day played out.

31 Posts

These are the key takeaways from the last day of testimony and Trump's brief time on the stand

From CNN's Gregory Krieg, Lauren del Valle, Kara Scannell and Allison Morrow

Donald Trump returned to a Manhattan federal courthouse on Thursday where he took the stand for what was ultimately less than five minutes — including multiple admonishments from Judge Lewis Kaplan — as he seeks to avoid a multimillion-dollar jury verdict against him in the civil defamation trial.

The trial centers on Trump’s 2019 comments about E. Jean Carroll, the writer who last year won a civil verdict over her claim Trump sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s and then defamed her when she first publicly accused him. Carroll is seeking at least $10 million.

Closing arguments are scheduled for Friday morning and the jury of nine could have the case by lunchtime.

Here’s what to know from Thursday:

Trump testifies: After days of back-and-forth teases over whether he would appear, Trump was on the witness stand for mere minutes Thursday. The defense’s questions were effectively pre-cleared by the judge, as Trump was not allowed to re-litigate the verdict from last year. He stood by his previous denial of Carroll’s sexual assault accusation and said that he wanted to defend himself, his family and the presidency.
Trump plays the victim: Perhaps more interesting than anything he said in court — before or during his testimony — was Trump’s decision to show up in the first place. He was not bound by the court to speak at or attend the trial, at which cameras are not allowed, but did so repeatedly. His appearance on Thursday amounted to another opportunity, in Trump’s estimation, to advance the narrative that he is the victim of a broad conspiracy designed to block his return to office and damage his personal and business reputation.
Team Trump attacks Carroll: Trump attorney Alina Habba sought to undermine Carroll’s claims that her safety was at risk as a result of the former president’s disparaging statements about her. While questioning Carroll’s longtime friend Carol Martin, a former television reporter, Habba pointed to texts in which Carroll wrote to Martin that she had no security concerns at the time. The text messages are key to the defense’s strategy of trying to show that Carroll has exaggerated her claims.
Carroll’s lawyers play the tapes: Carroll’s attorneys played videos for the jury in which Trump attested to his personal wealth and another where the former president disparaged Carroll and denied knowing the writer. Carroll’s lawyers also played clips from earlier depositions and media statements by Trump in which he disparages Carroll as “sick,” threatens to sue her attorney, and rants about the “hoaxes” that have been played on him.

Catch up on all of the key takeaways from the trial on Thursday ahead of closing arguments.

What it was like in the courtroom for Trump's tense testimony

From CNN's Kara Scannell inside the courtroom

Donald Trump says, "I never met the woman," to Judge Lewis Kaplan as his lawyer Alina Habba stands on January 25, in this courtroom sketch.

Donald Trump says, "I never met the woman," to Judge Lewis Kaplan as his lawyer Alina Habba stands on January 25, in this courtroom sketch.

Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Before Donald Trump took the stand, his lawyer Alina Habba and Judge Lewis Kaplan had a 10-minute conversation about the scope of the former president’s testimony.

In the middle of that discussion, Trump raised his voice and said unprompted, and out of nowhere, “I never met the woman. I do not know who this woman is. I was not at the trial. I don’t know who this woman is.”

Kaplan told Trump to keep his voice down. As the judge asked Habba if her client was aware of the limits on his testimony, Trump leaned over to Habba, who was mid-answer and whispered.

Kaplan sternly told Trump he was interrupting the proceedings and it was not permitted.

At one point Habba consulted Susan Necheles, one of Trump’s criminal defense attorneys in the New York hush-money case, who was sitting in the well of the courtroom.

Thereafter, the jury was brought in and Habba called Trump as her witness. He walked past the jury – most of them had their heads down and only a few appeared to look at Trump.

Standing next to the witness stand, Trump raised his right hand and swore to give truthful testimony.

Seated, Trump answered the questions and stopped abruptly when the judge cut him off. When Carroll’s attorneys tried to ask Trump questions about the first trial, which he did not attend, his lawyers objected. Trump turned toward the jury and shook his head from side to side.

Unlike at the civil fraud trial where Trump gave meandering answers, attacked the judge and New York attorney general in the courtroom, and gave political speeches from the witness stand, he did not make ancillary comments while the jury was in the courtroom.

Trump is expected back in court tomorrow

From CNN's Kristen Holmes

Former President Donald Trump is expected back in court in New York on Friday for the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, according to a source familiar with his plans.

Trump briefly testified for roughly three minutes in his civil defamation trial Thursday.

Defense rests after Trump's brief testimony

From CNN's Lauren del Valle

The defense rested after former President Donald Trump briefly answered questions from his attorney Alina Habba.

Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed the jurors, instructing them to return Friday morning to hear closing arguments and said they’ll likely have the case to begin deliberating by lunchtime.

Trump stands by denial of Carroll's sexual assault accusation

From CNN's Lauren del Valle

Donald Trump testifies on January 25, in this courtroom sketch.

Donald Trump testifies on January 25, in this courtroom sketch.

Elizabeth Williams/AP

Donald Trump stood by his denial of E. Jean Carroll’s sexual assault accusation during his testimony Thursday.

Attorney Alina Habba asked him, “Do you stand by your testimony in the deposition?”

“100% yes,” Trump replied.

Habba then asked Trump, “Did you deny the allegation because Ms. Carroll made an accusation?

Judge Lewis Kaplan, however, cut Trump off, saying: “Everything after ‘yes I did’ is stricken.”

Trump said he "wanted to defend myself, my family and frankly, the presidency"

From CNN's Lauren del Valle

Former President Donald Trump attorney Alina Habba’s final question to her client was: “Did you ever instruct anyone to hurt Ms. Carroll in your statements.”

Donald Trump has taken the stand

From CNN's Lauren del Valle and Dan Berman

Former President Donald Trump has taken the stand in his own defense at the civil defamation trial in New York.

It’s an extraordinary moment for Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination who faces multiple criminal trials this year, as well as ongoing civil litigation that threatens his business empire.

His testimony would be limited, as Judge Lewis Kaplan has ordered restrictions that Trump will not be allowed to testify that he didn’t assault E. Jean Carroll or that she lied about the rape allegation — since those questions are not before the jury.

Trump joins effort to get Fulton County DA dismissed from 2020 election case over affair allegations

From CNN’s Holmes Lybrand

As the E. Jean Carroll trial continues to unfold, Donald Trump’s attorneys are joining calls for the dismissal of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis in the 2020 election subversion case against the former president and his co-defendants in Georgia.

In a filing in Fulton County Superior Court Thursday, Trump’s attorneys joined an effort to dismiss the case brought by one of his co-defendants, who alleged in a previous court filing that Willis was engaged in a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor on the case and has benefitted financially when he took her on vacations.

The filing also points to public comments Willis recently made defending her choice to select the lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade, arguing that she violated Georgia rules for prosecutors.

Trump’s attorneys claim that Willis made a “calculated effort to foment racial bias” against the defendants with her comments, which run the risk of prejudicing the public and prospective jurors.

Read more about Trump’s effort to get Willis dismissed from the case.

Judge admonishes Trump for interruption

From CNN's Lauren del Valle

The back and forth about Donald Trump’s testimony is getting more heated.

Trump attorney Alina Habba said she wants to ask the former president several questions, including having him confirm that he stands by all the testimony of his deposition and asking if he made the statements in response to E. Jean Carroll’s accusations

Trump interrupted Habba to say, “I never met the woman I don’t know who the woman is. I never met this woman.

Judge Lewis Kaplan admonished Trump: “I’m sorry Mr. Trump, you’re interrupting these proceedings by talking loudly while your attorney is talking, and that is not permitted.”

Kaplan and Habba continue to debate the questions she’s allowed to ask.

“Ms. Habba I’ll decide what he has a right to do, that’s my job, not yours,” the judge said.

Donald Trump will testify in his own defense at the civil defamation trial, attorney says

From CNN’s Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Former President Donald Trump will testify in his own defense at the civil defamation trial in New York, his attorney Alina Habba said in court.

Habba told Judge Lewis Kaplan that it will be “very brief.”

The parties are first discussing what Trump will say and which questions he will answer.

Carroll spoke "a bit" about death threats, friend testifies

From CNN's Lauren del Valle and Allison Morrow

Carol Martin testifies on January 25, in this courtroom sketch.

Carol Martin testifies on January 25, in this courtroom sketch.

Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

Carol Martin testified that she was concerned about E. Jean Carroll around the time of the 2020 election, and that Carroll told her “a bit” about death threats she’d received.

In a further attempt to explain the text messages raised by Donald Trump’s defense counsel, Carroll’s attorney asked Martin whether her friend “loved the adulation that she got after Donald Trump defamed her in June 2019.”

“I do not believe that at all,” Martin said.

Where things stand: Martin has concluded her testimony and the courtroom broke for lunch. It is still unclear if Trump will testify this afternoon.

Carroll friend says the US political climate is "dangerous"

From CNN's Lauren del Valle and Allison Morrow

Carol Martin, a longtime friend of E. Jean Carroll, testified Thursday that she was afraid of being involved in a lawsuit against Donald Trump, saying that the “climate” in the United States felt “dangerous.”

In an attempt to clarify her texts about Carroll, Martin testified she was concerned about Carroll as she was considering filing the second lawsuit against Trump around the time of the 2020 election.

Further describing the political climate around the time Martin said, “I was very concerned my friend was right in the middle of a lawsuit.”

CNN’s Kara Scannell reports:

Video Ad Feedback

bd01b5ef-4545-44f5-8fec-40ba721a7fcb.mp4

2:53 • Source: cnn

bd01b5ef-4545-44f5-8fec-40ba721a7fcb.mp4

2:53 • cnn

Trump is less active in court today

From CNN's Kara Scannell

Donald Trump, far left, looks on during Robbie Myers’ testimony on January 25, in this courtroom sketch.

Donald Trump, far left, looks on during Robbie Myers’ testimony on January 25, in this courtroom sketch.

Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

As he sits at the defense table, former President Donald Trump is less active today in court than he was last week.

He has not been making any audible comments in court, as he had done last week, only speaking to his attorney Alina Habba once so far.

Trump did lean in to read some of the text messages on the screen in front of him as Habba presented them to the court during Carol Martin’s testimony.

Former Trump adviser gets 4 months in prison for contempt of Congress

From CNN's Devan Cole

Former Donald Trump adviser Peter Navarro arrives at court in Washington, DC, on January 25.

Former Donald Trump adviser Peter Navarro arrives at court in Washington, DC, on January 25.

Jose Luis Magana/AP

Meanwhile, the ongoing legal drama surrounding Donald Trump and his allies continued today in Washington, DC, where his former trade adviser was sentenced to four months in jail.

Peter Navarro was sentenced for contempt of Congress after defying a subpoena related to the congressional investigation into the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.

Navarro was convicted on two counts of contempt of Congress in September.

Friend texted about Carroll, saying that her "narcissism had run amok"

From CNN's Lauren del Valle and Allison Morrow

E. Jean Carroll’s longtime friend Carol Martin testified Thursday that she regretted earlier text messages in which she said Carroll’s “narcissism had run amok.”

In another text exchange with her daughter, Martin wrote that Carroll is “like a drug addict and the drug is herself.”

Martin said on the stand Thursday she’s “very sorry” about sending the messages and called herself a little “hyperbolic,” adding that it was a bad choice of words.

Remember: The text messages are key to Trump’s defense strategy that Carroll has exaggerated her claims. In the first Trump-Carroll defamation trial, Martin said she was having issues with Carroll at the time she sent the text messages and later felt bad about it.

Trump legal team tries to undermine Carroll's claims that her safety was at risk

From CNN's Lauren del Valle and Allison Morrow

Donald Trump’s attorney Alina Habba is seeking to undermine E. Jean Carroll’s claims that her safety was at risk as a result of the former president’s disparaging statements about her.

While questioning Carroll’s longtime friend Carol Martin on the stand Thursday, Habba pointed to texts in which Carroll wrote to Martin that she had no security concerns at the time.

Habba asked Martin whether she felt that Carroll enjoyed the attention that came with her lawsuits against Trump.

Martin replied that was true “at different times in early years.”

Carol Martin is testifying. Here's what she said during the first Carroll-Trump defamation trial

From CNN's Lauren del Valle

During the first defamation trial last year, former local news anchor Carol Martin testified that she remembered E. Jean Carroll confiding in her soon after the alleged assault by Donald Trump in the mid-1990s and that she told Carroll not to go public.

Martin said she didn’t remember when exactly it happened, but she knew it was some time while the two were working at the same cable network between 1994 and 1996.

By Martin’s account, the two friends had finished taping their respective shows and Carroll asked if she could come over to Martin’s home near the studio. They talked in her kitchen for about an hour, Martin testified, and Carroll was “frenzied.”

Carroll’s “effect was anxious and excitable, but she can be that way sometimes so that part wasn’t as different but what she was saying didn’t make any sense at first.” The conversation was not linear, Carroll started her account saying, “You won’t believe what happened to me the other night,” Martin recalled.

“And I didn’t know what to expect,” Martin said she felt at the time. Carroll repeatedly said, “Trump attacked me,” according to Martin.

“I think she said, ‘he pinned me’ and I still didn’t know what she meant,” Martin testified.

Martin testified that she told Carroll she shouldn’t tell anyone her story.

“Because it was Donald Trump and he had a lot of attorneys and I thought he would bury her is what I told her,” Martin said.

“I have questioned myself more times than not over the years. I am not proud that that’s what I told her in truth but she didn’t contest,” Martin added.

During cross-examination, Trump attorney Joe Tacopina read through a series of messages Martin has sent friends, many to Carroll, speaking negatively about Trump for years since he first ran for the presidency. Martin testified that as “very liberal feminist women,” they frequently discussed politics including their dislike for Trump. “We would often talk about ways to change the climate or work on issues of interest to us,” Martin testified.

Read more about her testimony in the last trial.

Trump calls former local news anchor Carol Martin as his first witness

From CNN's Lauren del Valle and Dan Berman

Former President Donald Trump has begun his defense, calling former local news anchor Carol Martin to the stand.

Martin previously testified on E. Jean Carroll’s behalf in the first trial, recalling how Carroll confided in her about the alleged sexual assault by Trump shortly after it happened.

Judge denies Trump's request to dismiss case

From CNN's Lauren del Valle and Allison Morrow

Alina Habba, one of Trump’s defense attorneys, asked the judge to throw the case out, arguing E. Jean Carroll failed to establish any causal link between her damages claim and Trump’s statements.

Judge Lewis Kaplan cut Habba off, asking her whether the point of her request is that there is insufficient causation. She replied yes and was allowed to continue her argument for the record.

The judge denied the request.

Lawyers for E. Jean Carroll have rested their case against Donald Trump

From CNN's Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Lawyers for E. Jean Carroll have rested her case against Donald Trump in the civil trial to determine how much in damages, if any, he will have to pay the former magazine columnist for his 2019 defamatory statements following her sex assault allegations.

The plaintiffs called three witnesses including Carroll who testified last week while Donald Trump sat at the defense table making audible comments for which he was admonished by the judge.

Carroll is seeking at least $10 million in damages for the 2019 defamatory statements.

In a separate trial last year, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation similar statements he made in 2022. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.