Judge Threatens to 'Lock Up' Alina Habba Ahead of Closing Arguments in Defamation Trial as Donald Trump Storms Out of Courtroom
The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s defamation trial threatened to 'lock up' the ex-president’s attorney, Alina Habba.
Jan. 26 2024, Published 10:55 a.m. ET
The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s defamation trial threatened to “lock up” the ex-president’s attorney, Alina Habba, this week, RadarOnline.com has learned. Trump then stormed out of the courtroom shortly after.
In the latest development to come amid the former president’s chaotic defamation trial in Manhattan, the judge overseeing the proceedings – Judge Lewis Kaplan – reportedly threatened to “lock up” Habba.
The judge overseeing the proceedings – Judge Lewis Kaplan – reportedly threatened to “lock up” Habba.
According to the Messenger, the incident unfolded on Friday morning as both parties were preparing to present their closing arguments in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case.
Judge Kaplan reportedly threatened Habba with jail time after she repeatedly contested a ruling that the trial judge had already issued.
"You are on the verge of spending some time in the lockup," Judge Kaplan reportedly warned Habba. "Sit down."
Trump then reportedly stormed out of the courtroom shortly after closing arguments in the case began.
According to NBC News, Trump "abruptly stormed out of court" after Carroll's lawyer told jurors that the ex-president "is a liar" who thinks "the rules don't apply to him."
"The record will reflect that Mr. Trump just rose and walked out of the courtroom," Judge Kaplan said as Trump stormed out.
The incident unfolded on Friday morning as both parties were preparing to present their closing arguments in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, this would not be the first time Judge Kaplan, Trump, and Trump’s attorney sparred back and forth in the Manhattan courtroom.
Another incident unfolded last week shortly after Judge Kaplan threatened to boot Trump from the courtroom for making “disruptive” comments within earshot of the jury overseeing the trial.
“Mr. Trump has the right to be present here,” Judge Kaplan warned Trump last week. “That right can be forfeited, and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive, and if he disregards court orders.”
“Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to consider excluding you from the trial,” the judge continued. “I understand you are very eager for me to do that.”
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"You are on the verge of spending some time in the lockup," the judge warned Habba.
Judge Kaplan then ordered Habba to “sit down” after the Trump attorney requested that the defamation trial be postponed so the ex-president could attend the funeral of his late mother-in-law.
“It is denied. Sit down,” the judge reportedly shouted. “I said sit down!”
“I don’t like to be spoken to like that,” Habba responded. “I will not speak to you like that.”
As RadarOnline.com reported, both parties are scheduled to present their closing arguments on Friday in connection to the second defamation case filed by E. Jean Carroll against Trump.
Trump took the witness stand for three minutes on Thursday.
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Trump was already found liable in May 2023 for defaming and sexually assaulting Carroll in connection to an incident that transpired in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s.
Carroll was awarded $5 million in damages for the suspected defamation and sexual assault, and the latest trial is to find whether the ex-president owes his accuser even more money in damages for repeating false claims about Carroll.
Trump surprisingly took the witness stand on Thursday. He reportedly answered five questions before leaving the stand after only three minutes.
“No,” Trump responded when asked whether he instructed anyone to hurt Carroll. “I just wanted to defend myself, my family and frankly, the presidency.”
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