FOILED: Latest E. Jean Carroll lawsuit ruling is setback for Trump
E. Jean Carroll is one tenacious woman.
The former Elle magazine columnist has never once changed the story detailed in her lawsuit against Donald Trump recounting his (alleged) sexual assault in a Bergdorf Goodman’s dressing room in the 90s.
Trump has tried various tactics to negate this negative story about him. But in his typical fashion has only made it worse for himself by repeatedly commenting (both in and out of office) on Carroll’s appearance by claiming “She’s not my type.”
Those remarks bought Trump another lawsuit from Carroll, this time for defamation. A Washington, DC, appeals court is currently reviewing if Trump was acting within the scope of his “employment” (lol) when he made the allegedly defamatory statements.
As Trump tried to duck the dual suits — his team tried to argue that as a “federal employee,” the DOJ should “stand in” for Trump — Carroll’s lawyers persisted to keep both of them going.
With all of the other impending indictments coming at them, Trump’s exhausted legal team has decided to quit fighting the unsinkable E. Jean.
In a joint court filing Friday, their lawyers wrote they wanted to hold the trial on April 25th in New York in both of the suits Carroll has filed.
“Evidence relating to this central factual question ‘is relevant to both cases,’ and will be presented at both trials,” the lawyers wrote in the Friday filing. “Because of the overlapping nature of these proceedings, a single trial will reduce costs across the board, avoid the risk of inconsistent factual rulings or jury confusion, and economize matters for the Court (as well as for both parties’ witnesses.”
However, Judge Lewis Kaplan — no relation to Carroll’s lead lawyer, Roberta Kaplan —denied the request, setting the rape trial for April but delaying the defamation trial.
What a busy, busy day in Trumpland.
A federal judge in NY refuses to consolidate the journalist E. Jean Carrol's 2 cases against Donald Trump (rape lawsuit & defamation case).
Judge says rape case goes to trial next month. Defamation, someday. pic.twitter.com/gPQplOyd34
— Jose Pagliery (@Jose_Pagliery) March 20, 2023
There’s also the still-sticky matter of Trump’s refusal to submit a DNA sample to test for a match of the stained dress Carroll was wearing during the alleged attack.
However, if he’s charged by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, Trump will be required to submit to fingerprinting as well as a cheek swab.
That puts Trump’s DNA in the New York judicial system.
Let’s watch Trump’s team try to move those goalposts next.
While we wait on what the Manhattan DA has in store for Trump, SDNY Judge Lew Kaplan rules E. Jean Carroll’s two lawsuits against Trump will remain separate. Trial in the 2nd case re: his post-presidency statement and her sexual assault claim begins April 25. https://t.co/AbqFA0XS1b
— Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) March 20, 2023
Trump’s arrest will include being booked, mug-shotted, fingerprinted & cheek swabbed. It appears E. Jean Carroll will finally get that DNA sample. pic.twitter.com/H8fLCRZj7O
— anyone_want_chips (@anyonewantchips) March 18, 2023
E Jean Carroll will get the DNA to prove Donald Trump raped her.
C U Next Tuesday! pic.twitter.com/g0zUywktgR
— James Tate (@JamesTate121) March 19, 2023
Follow Tara Dublin on Twitter @taradublinrocks.
Editor’s note: This is an opinion column that solely reflects the opinions of the author.
