Donald Trump Rape Trial: Judge Rebukes Ex-POTUS Before He Testified

After his trial was delayed after a juror fell sick, Donald Trump finally testified during his latest rape trial. In his testimony, he whined, played the victim, and claimed he did not rape E. Jean Carroll, even though the judge specifically asked him to stick to the facts of the case and what was already determined in previous cases where he was found liable to sexual assault, which was already tantamount to rape.

Less than five minutes into his testimony, Judge Lewis Kaplan shut him down and admonished the former president. Even when not testifying, Trump was being disruptive by loudly muttering, earning another scolding from the judge after he once again claimed he did not know who Carroll was as the jury re-entered the courtroom.

Before his tense testimony, Judge Kaplan asked Trump lawyer Alina Habba if her client understood the limits on his testimony, but Trump leaned over to Habba, who was mid-answer, and whispered. Kaplan then told Trump that he was interrupting the proceedings, which was not permitted, per CNN.

However, it was noted that, unlike his civil fraud trial, the former president did not make a political campaign speech during his time in court, nor did he attack the judge or opposing counsel or give meandering questions.

Trump is expected to return tomorrow after less than five minutes on the stand. It was noted that he was not bound by the court to speak at or attend the trial, at which cameras are not allowed, but did so repeatedly, as experts believe he is playing the victim in these proceedings as he plans to advance his narrative that there is a conspiracy to stop him from being elected president again.

E. Jean Carroll Lawyers Played Tapes That Showed Donald Trump Disparaging Their Client

The hearing did not just feature Trump testifying but also E. Jean Carroll's attorneys showing the just evidence of Trump's wrongdoing, including tapes of the former president disparaging their client during a 2022 deposition.

In that recording, the former president vehemently denied Carroll's allegations, calling her "sick" and a "whack job." Soon after, when Trump was on the stand, he stated that he stood by that deposition "100%."

As the Associated Press noted, Trump already lost the case where that deposition was first used as evidence. Because of Trump losing that case, he could not offer any testimony "disputing or attempting to undermine" the sexual abuse allegations. Despite this, he repeatedly did.

Donald Trump Rape Trial Loss Could Mean Bankruptcy For Ex-President

During the previous trial, Carroll was awarded $5 million in damages after a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming her. After she won that case, Trump continued to claim he did not know her or that he did not sexually assault her, leading to this latest trial, which seeks additional damages against him.

According to Newsweek, Carroll's attorneys are seeking another $10 million in compensatory damages and "substantially more" because the former president continued to deny the accusations against him. While the final amount could be a drop in the bucket of Trump's assets, it is still possible that the former president could worm his way out of paying by declaring bankruptcy.

"I'm sure his assets are neatly tied up, bankruptcy is a mere business decision. Trump has all his marbles in winning back the presidency whatever the cost. His outward contempt for the court and the process is very dangerous," former DA Matthew Magino told Newsweek, noting that "Trump doesn't seem to care" if he loses the case.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Trump takes stand. Hear why judge struck part of his testimony from the record - CNN