Donald Trump attended the second day of trial in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case yesterday, and the former president and his legal team had several tense interactions with Judge Lewis Kaplan.
At one point, the judge threatened to throw Trump off the court: Kaplan warned Trump that he could be removed from the courtroom if he is disruptive following a complaint from Carroll's attorney that Trump could be heard making comments during testimony.
Carroll's attorney, Shawn Crowley, said Trump could be heard commenting things like “It's a witch hunt” and “It really is a scam.”
Kaplan responded that Trump “has a right to be present here,” but said “that right can be lost and it can be lost if he is disruptive,” noting that he has the right to expel him if that happens. Trump raised his hands in response and Kaplan said, “I understand you're probably anxious for me to do that.”
Reporters in the courtroom heard Trump say, “I would love to.”
Trump's lawyer then asked the judge to recuse himself: Trump attorney Michael Madaio filed a motion for Kaplan to recuse himself from the civil defamation case, citing “general hostility.”
“Denied,” Kaplan said.
