Kansas City, Missouri – The lawyer representing a columnist warned a judge on Wednesday that former President Donald Trump hopes to “sow chaos” as the jury considers defamation damages. This comes after a battle lasting years, starting in February 2016 when the columnist accused Trump of sexual assault. The columnist claimed that Trump defamed her by publicly calling her a liar.
The lawyer argued that Trump’s strategy is to “inflame his supporters, encouraging them to harass and intimidate” the columnist and her legal team. This warning came in response to Trump’s request to disclose the identities of the jurors deciding the case. The lawyer expressed concern that if the jurors’ identities were revealed, they could be subjected to harassment and intimidation.
Trump’s lawyer, however, argued that this concern was not valid and that it was a tactic to delay the trial. The lawyer also argued that since Trump is a public figure, the standard for defamation is higher, requiring the plaintiff to prove actual malice. Trump denies all the allegations made against him.
The trial will continue as the jury deliberates on the amount of damages the columnist should receive for the alleged defamation. The columnist is seeking millions of dollars in damages, claiming that Trump’s statements have damaged her reputation and caused emotional distress.
This case is one of many defamation lawsuits faced by Donald Trump since his time in office. It raises important questions about the responsibility of public figures for their statements and the impact of those statements on individuals’ lives. The outcome of this case will set a precedent for future similar cases.
In conclusion, the lawyer representing the columnist has warned the judge that Donald Trump hopes to “sow chaos” as the jury deliberates defamation damages. The trial continues, and the outcome of this case will have implications for the responsibility of public figures and the impact of their statements on individuals’ lives.