Trump's "Access Hollywood" Video to Play in Defamation Trial as Immunity Battles Continue

In a significant development, U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan has determined that the infamous "Access Hollywood" video, which captured Donald Trump making disparaging remarks about women, will be presented to jurors in the upcoming defamation trial involving the former president and columnist E. Jean Carroll. This trial, set to commence on January 16, centers around Carroll's accusation that Trump sexually abused her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in 1996 – a claim Trump vehemently denies.

The jury's previous decision, which found Trump defamed Carroll with statements he made in October 2022 and awarded her $5 million in damages, sets the stage for the forthcoming trial to decide on additional damages. Trump, who described his comments in the video as "locker room banter," is facing a $10 million claim for compensatory damages and additional punitive damages from Carroll, who asserts that Trump's remarks have led to ridicule and threats, thus damaging her career and reputation.

Judge Kaplan's ruling to admit the "Access Hollywood" video as evidence could be pivotal, as he suggests it may offer insight into Trump's state of mind and his attitudes towards women, which are pertinent to Carroll's sexual assault claim. This comes alongside Kaplan's barring Trump's attorney from suggesting that Carroll had financial or political motivations for her allegations or that she fabricated her account.

Amidst this legal battle, Trump is also contending with challenges regarding claims of presidential immunity. Federal appeals court judges are scrutinizing Trump's assertion of immunity from prosecution for his actions related to the 2020 election and the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, with the all-woman three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit showing little support for his argument.

The court's upcoming decision on Trump's immunity claim is highly anticipated, as it could expedite his trial or potentially leave some issues unresolved. The prosecution, led by Special counsel Jack Smith, has requested expedited court proceedings to maintain the trial's schedule.

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment that includes charges of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruct an official proceeding, is facing 91 criminal counts across four separate cases. This makes him the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution. His argument that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution for criminal acts committed in office has been countered by the prosecution and questioned by U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who denied Trump’s dismissal attempt based on presidential immunity.

As the Republican presidential nominating contest approaches, with Trump expected to win easily in Iowa, the legal outcomes of these trials and appeals will be closely watched. They will not only impact Carroll's defamation case but also have broader implications for Trump's claims of immunity, potentially influencing his political future as he maintains a commanding lead over his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination.

Trump's legal team, led by attorney Joe Tacopina, plans to appeal last year's verdict. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyer James Pearce has argued against granting Trump immunity, emphasizing that "he is not above the law." With the appeals court ruling expected to take weeks and any decision likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the political and legal drama surrounding Donald Trump continues to unfold.

Conservative Bias:

Once again, the liberal media and the leftist courts are on a witch hunt against President Trump, a man who has tirelessly fought for American values. They're dredging up a harmless "Access Hollywood" tape, spinning it as something vile, when in fact, it's nothing more than locker room talk that every red-blooded American man has engaged in. This is a desperate ploy by the Democrats to smear a highly successful president who has done nothing but make America great. They're using E. Jean Carroll, a woman who's clearly seeking her fifteen minutes of fame and a hefty payday, to concoct a baseless defamation trial. It's a travesty of justice that they're blocking the truth about her political and financial motives, all to take down a man who stands as a bulwark against their socialist agenda. And now, they're attacking the sacred principle of presidential immunity, trying to undermine the very foundations of our executive branch. This is nothing but a political assassination, as they fear Trump's inevitable triumph in the upcoming elections. The left can't compete with his policies, so they resort to character assassination. It's a disgrace, folks. A total disgrace.

Liberal Bias:

In an egregious display of patriarchal arrogance and entitlement, Donald Trump, the misogynist-in-chief, is finally facing the music for his long history of demeaning and assaulting women. The "Access Hollywood" video, which captures Trump's vile bragging about sexual assault, is rightfully being used as evidence in E. Jean Carroll's brave defamation suit against him. This courageous woman has been dragged through the mud by Trump's slanderous denials, and it's high time that justice is served. The fact that Trump's legal team is barred from smearing Carroll's motives speaks volumes to their lack of a legitimate defense. Meanwhile, Trump's laughable claim to presidential immunity is being rightfully dismantled in the courts. It's clear that he believes himself to be above the law, a delusion supported by his crony enablers. The Republican party's blind allegiance to this corrupt, criminal former president is a stark reminder of their moral bankruptcy. They are complicit in his crimes against democracy, as evidenced by their unwavering support despite the mountain of charges he faces. The fight for justice is far from over, but the wheels are in motion to hold this man accountable for his heinous acts, both in and out of office. It's a reckoning long overdue, and every American who believes in decency and the rule of law should be outraged by Trump's continued evasion of justice.