Video: Trump to Attend Appeal in E. Jean Carroll Case

What to Expect

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the appeal hearing in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case on Friday, April 28, 2023. The hearing will take place in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Manhattan. Carroll, a former Elle magazine columnist, accused Trump of raping her in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in the mid-1990s. Trump has denied the allegations and called them "a complete and total fabrication." U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed Carroll's lawsuit in November 2022, ruling that Trump was protected by a federal law that shields government employees from defamation lawsuits. Carroll appealed the ruling.

Key Issues

The key issue in the appeal is whether Trump was acting within the scope of his employment as president when he allegedly made the defamatory statements about Carroll. The Second Circuit will also consider whether the district court erred in dismissing the case on procedural grounds. The outcome of the appeal could have a significant impact on the future of defamation lawsuits against government officials. If the Second Circuit upholds the district court's ruling, it could make it more difficult for victims of defamation to sue government officials.

What to Watch For

During the hearing, the Second Circuit will hear arguments from both sides on the key issues in the case. The court will also consider amicus briefs filed by various organizations, including the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the American Civil Liberties Union. The Second Circuit's decision is expected to be issued in the coming months. The outcome of the appeal could have a significant impact on the future of defamation lawsuits against government officials.