Trump Seeks New Trial or Reduced Penalty in E. Jean Carroll Defamation Case

Donald Trump's new lawyer, John Sauer, has filed a motion for a new trial and a motion for judgment as a matter of law in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, arguing that the judge erred in instructing the jury on the common law malice standard under New York law and in refusing to let Trump testify about his motivation for defaming Carroll. Sauer contends that Trump's motive was not solely to harm Carroll but to defend his reputation, family, and presidency. However, the court had previously struck Trump's testimony on this matter. The first jury found the statements defamatory with actual and common law malice, and Judge Kaplan issued summary judgment in the second case, estopping Trump from denying the defamatory nature of the statements.