Donald Trump Rages at Judge Kaplan Before New York Trial

Donald Trump has lashed out on social media at the judge overseeing his defamation trial as proceedings are set to resume in New York.

In a post on Truth Social late Wednesday, the former president accused Judge Lewis Kaplan, who has already ruled the Republican defamed former Elle columnist E. Jean Carroll in 2019 while denying that he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s, of being "extraordinarily hostile to me."

The civil trial is scheduled to continue on Thursday after being postponed all week as a member of the jury and one of Trump's lawyers Alina Habba reported illnesses. As Kaplan ruled in September 2023 that the former president did defame Carroll while denying that he sexually assaulted her at a Bergdorf Goodman store in New York in the 1990s—including suggesting she made up the attack to sell copies of her book—the proceedings in New York will determine how much Trump will have to pay Carroll in damages.

In his social media post, Trump continued his trend of criticizing judges who are overseeing his cases, as seen when he frequently clashed in and out of the court with Judge Arthur Engoron during a civil fraud trial where the former president is accused of filing financial statements that inflated the value of his properties and assets for years.

Trump also highlighted his recent success in the 2024 GOP primary season, which has cemented his place as the clear favorite to clinch the Republican presidential nomination.

"The last two weeks have been spectacular, a Record Win in Iowa (Highest Margin Ever), and a Record Win in New Hampshire (the most Votes ever received by any Candidate - in either Party!) I am the first non-Incumbent Republican ever to win both Iowa and New Hampshire," Trump wrote.

"But now I'm heading back to New York City for a trial based on False Accusations, from perhaps decades ago—The woman has no idea when! The Federal Judge in this Second Biden Political Opponent 'Trial' is extraordinarily hostile to me—Sadly, and I don't know why, a 100% Trump Hater. He knows I did nothing wrong, but is looking to do a number on me. Only in America!"

Carroll is seeking at least $10 million from Trump over the claims he defamed her character while denying the assault took place.

The civil trial in New York is separate to the sexual battery and defamation lawsuit that Carroll previously won against Trump. In May 2023, a jury ruled Trump was liable for sexually abusing Carroll at the department store and then defaming her character while denying the incident occurred. Trump was ordered to pay Carroll $5 million in damages.

In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump also lashed out at his accuser while denying the assault against Carroll took place.

"Until the filing of this ridiculous lawsuit against me, I knew nothing about this woman, never heard of her, never touched her, had nothing to do with her. THIS IS A FALSE ACCUSATION FORCED INTO THE PUBLIC EYE BY DEMOCRAT OPERATIVES LIKE HER LAWYER, HER FUNDERS, AND OTHERS. LOOK AT HER MANY CRAZY TWEETS, THEY SAY IT ALL—Another HOAX, just like Russia, Russia, Russia," Trump wrote.

"These people are 'SICK.' Hopefully Judge Kaplan will see the light and do what is just and proper for America!"

Carroll's legal team has been contacted for comment via email.

Kaplan previously ruled that the former president's legal team could not try to argue to the New York jury that Trump did not rape or sexually assault Carroll, or that she made up to attack to sell copies of her 2019 memoirs, as the arguments were deemed irrelevant to the defamation case.

The decision meant that Trump has been found legally responsible for a sexual assault for the first time. More than a dozen women have publicly accused the former president of similar behavior since 2016. Two—journalist Natasha Stoynoff and retired stockbroker Jessica Leeds—testified under oath that Trump sexually assaulted them during Carroll's civil trial, but have not filed their own claims. The former president has denied any wrongdoing.