Trump's Failed Attempts to Dodge Defamation Lawsuit by E. Jean Carroll

Judge Lewis Kaplan has rejected Donald Trump's motion for summary judgment and refusal to allow him to argue absolute presidential immunity in the defamation lawsuit filed by E. Jean Carroll. The court expressed exhaustion with Trump's dilatory maneuvers and criticized his counsel's lawyering. The court dismissed Trump's argument that his statement about Carroll was a non-defamatory opinion and that Carroll consented to be defamed. Judge Kaplan also criticized Trump's untimely effort to invoke presidential immunity, stating that there is no basis to risk prolonging the litigation further. The court concluded that Trump's arguments are without merit, confirming that his supposed defenses do not work.