The former president fired off a series of potentially defamatory statements as he arrived in court

As he arrived at a federal courthouse in lower Manhattan, Donald Trump’s Truth Social account released an avalanche of posts attacking E Jean Carroll, who is suing the former president for defamation.

A jury in New York City will determine what damages he owes Ms Carroll, whom Mr Trump defamed by repeatedly calling her a liar and denying that he sexually assaulted her.

It’s the second trial stemming from defamation claims brought by Ms Caroll, and a jury already found him civilly responsible for sexually abusing her in the 1990s. He continues to claim that he never met her and has repeatedly mocked and ridiculed Ms Carroll in the wake of that verdict.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    4410 months ago

    It would be amazing if the jury said jail time would be more effective than another monetary settlement. Fingers crossed.

    • Flying Squid
      link
      3110 months ago

      I don’t think they have that ability.

      • Blackout
        link
        fedilink
        2210 months ago

        Just treat him like he was black. Charge him with contempt for anything, the way he is breathing is too loud, and set the bail for more than he can afford. $1.5 trillion?

      • Nougat
        link
        fedilink
        1810 months ago

        They don’t have that ability in a civil trial, but could they say that? Something like “Here’s the incredibly large amount of compensatory and punitive damages, which we still do not believe will suffice to prevent Trump from repeating this behavior. We believe that only detention will be successful in putting an end to this continuing defamation.”

        • Flying Squid
          link
          610 months ago

          I suppose, but I doubt it would help.

        • Null User Object
          link
          fedilink
          610 months ago

          Even then. I believe they’re given a form letter and all they’re allowed to do is fill in the blanks. At least that’s what happened the one time I was on a jury.

        • WashedOver
          link
          fedilink
          1110 months ago

          Well when one is a professional Loser like Trunp, another bankruptcy is no big deal. It’s par for the course.

          • prole
            link
            fedilink
            English
            310 months ago

            Bankruptcy is just another part of the scheme.

        • Flying Squid
          link
          410 months ago

          Sure, why not? I’m just saying it won’t actually put him behind bars.

          • Ook the Librarian
            link
            410 months ago

            Now I’m picturing an SNL-type sketch where the judge is the “this isn’t how any of this works” geico lady, and the jury insists that jail is best.

            Of course Trump’s lawyers would try to help, but make it worse. And the plaintiff’s lawyers are just eating popcorn.

      • WashedOver
        link
        fedilink
        510 months ago

        I would imagine it would have been much harder for his Loser routine if there was still a debtor’s prison. It wouldn’t be a standard way for him to do business.

        With how many things he’s failed at and in a big way involving investors, customers, regulators, and the courts, it’s been amazing how he’s been able to get his hooks into the country. Celebrity truly is king in America.

        • prole
          link
          fedilink
          English
          8
          edit-2
          10 months ago

          All it took was repeating bald faced lies about his business acumen on TV for a handful of years. Before apprentice, he was universally seen as the piece of shit that he is. So much so that he’s basically the archetype of almost every movie villain from the 80s and 90s.

    • @Skyrmir
      link
      English
      1110 months ago

      Just start calling in the new jury on the campaign finance violations he’s about to commit the second he has to pay the settlement. Those carry actual jail time.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      810 months ago

      Money is the only thing he cares about. Keep the fines going up. We can call it the Trumping Point: the amount of money required to make a billionaire understand consequences. Then future fines to other billionaires can just start there.

      For real though, imagine the orange apoplexy if he lost all his wealth.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        710 months ago

        Honestly, this is the entire point of fines though. We need a system where fines are determined by your tax bracket or something, it shouldn’t be “ahh I can do whatever I want until the fines get close to $X million” it should be an immediate “oh i fucked up”

        Otherwise, fines are just the cost of doing business.

      • @Inucune
        link
        210 months ago

        Spin up a website tracking the numbers.