The defamation claim in Caroll’s first trial involved a comment that Trump made in 2022, in which he called Carroll’s allegation a “hoax.”
Carroll’s other lawsuit — the case in which Kaplan ruled Thursday — centers on comments Trump made in 2019, while he occupied the White House.
He also said in an interview with The Hill newspaper: “I’ll say it with great respect: Number one, she’s not my type.
Today’s decision removes one more impediment to the January 15 trial on E Jean’s defamation damages in this case.”.
He also ruled that Trump raised the immunity defense far too late to be considered — nearly three years after Carroll first filed suit.
Trump contended in recent filings that he wasn’t required to raise the defense because presidential immunity should automatically cover his actions.
Besides, Kaplan said, Carroll has been litigating for years, and applying presidential immunity now would delay her pursuit of justice. »
