Former US President Donald Trump has intensified his claims against the Democratic Party, alleging that the lawsuits he faces—particularly the sexual assault accusations—are politically motivated fabrications.
In a press conference on Friday, Trump described the US judicial system as “in serious trouble,” and accused the Department of Justice (DOJ) of orchestrating these cases to sabotage his 2024 presidential campaign.
The latest developments came during an appeal hearing in a federal court in New York, where Trump challenged the verdict that found him liable for sexual assault and defamation in the E. Jean Carroll case.
Trump’s legal team argued that the earlier trial was tainted by “highly inflammatory” evidence, including the controversial “Access Hollywood” tape, which they claimed unfairly influenced the jury’s decision.
Trump challenges Carroll case verdict
In the federal appeals court, Trump’s lawyer, D. John Sauer, contended that the trial was marred by improper evidence and biased rulings.
The case revolves around allegations from E. Jean Carroll, a former Elle magazine columnist, who accused Trump of assaulting her in the 1990s and later defaming her by denying the incident.
The jury had found Trump liable for sexual abuse and awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.
Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, defended the inclusion of the “Access Hollywood” tape, arguing that it was relevant to establishing a pattern of behavior.
The tape features Trump making controversial comments about women, which Kaplan asserted was pertinent to understanding his conduct.
Trump blames DOJ for cases against him
Trump has persistently framed the lawsuits against him as part of a broader political strategy by Democrats to hinder his 2024 presidential bid.
He accused the DOJ of strategically filing cases in jurisdictions with unfavorable public opinion.
According to Trump, this tactic is part of a larger conspiracy involving President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to disrupt his political career and interfere with the electoral process.
Trump’s claims come amid multiple legal battles, including a second lawsuit by Carroll that resulted in an additional $83.3 million in damages for defamation.
Trump’s legal team is pushing for this verdict to be overturned, arguing that the trial was unfair due to the inclusion of testimonies from other women with similar allegations and the exclusion of evidence that could have demonstrated bias.
The former president has criticized the judicial processes, describing them as biased and politically motivated.
He argues that Carroll and other accusers have ulterior motives, such as seeking book deals or personal revenge, for their claims.
Trump’s legal team is seeking a new trial, asserting that previous rulings violated his rights.
As Trump continues his bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, these legal battles may impact his public image and campaign strategy.
While his allegations of a “rigged” judicial system may resonate with his base, they also risk alienating moderate voters.
The appeals court’s decision on his request for a new trial will be pivotal in shaping the narrative of his campaign and could have significant political and financial implications for Trump moving forward.
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