Trump appears in court as second defamation trial begins. Is a Russian attack on Europe closer than we think? What speaks for it

A day after his victory in the Republican primaries in the American state of Iowa, former President Donald Trump appeared in New York at the start of a second defamation trial against him by American author E. Jean Carroll. The trial began on Tuesday (local time) in a Manhattan court with the selection of a nine-member jury. Carroll also visited in person and – unlike Trump, who left the building during the lunch break – stayed during both sides’ opening arguments in the afternoon until the end of the court hearing. Both Carrol and Trump initially spoke only through their lawyers.

A New York jury found evidence in May that Trump had assaulted, sexually abused and later defamed Carroll in a luxury department store in New York in 1996. The jury then awarded the writer a compensation of five million dollars (approximately 4.65 million euros). Trump himself never appeared at this first trial and his presence was not mandatory at the start of the second trial.

Before the start of the second trial, a judge had ruled that further statements by Trump were defamatory. The jury now only has to decide on the amount of damages that the ex-president must pay to the woman. Carroll is asking for more than $10 million.

Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba accused Carroll in her opening statement of wanting to enrich herself with her client. The amount of attention the processes brought gave her career a new boost. Carroll’s attorney, Shawn Crowley, argued that the large amount was justified because his client lives in fear every day of the hate and threats she receives from Trump supporters.

Trump is considered the Republicans’ most promising candidate in November’s presidential election. However, he is currently dealing with the courts in many different cases. The 77-year-old often uses the court dates as a kind of election campaign event, which has already earned him criticism from several judges.

It was initially unclear whether the ex-president would also want to be present during the further course of the trial. A statement from Carroll was scheduled for Wednesday. (sda/dpa)