NEW YORK, Jan  17, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Donald Trump's lawyer clashed with the
judge at his New York defamation trial Wednesday as the court heard evidence
from E. Jean Carroll, whom the former president has been found liable of
sexually assaulting.

Trump's lawyer Alina Habba objected to an answer from Carroll, drawing a
sharp rebuke from Judge Lewis Kaplan, who told Habba that "when you speak in
this courtroom or any courtroom in this building you'll stand up," CNN reported.

Trump, who is not required to attend the civil trial, was in court for the
second day as he seeks to use multiple legal cases against him to galvanize
supporters ahead of the New Hampshire primary and his 2024 election campaign.

According to US media reports, Carroll told the hearing she was in court
"to stop him from telling lies about me."

Carroll, 80, is seeking more than $10 million alleging that Trump defamed
her in 2019 when he was president and she had just come out with her assault
allegation, saying she "is not my type."

"It means I'm too ugly to assault," Carroll told the court Wednesday.

Asked about how the comment damaged her reputation, Carroll said
"previously I was known simply as a journalist, and now I'm known as a liar, a
fraud, and a whack job" -- quoting insults leveled at her by Trump.

CNN reported that Trump shook his head when Carroll accused him of
assaulting her, and talked with his attorneys while she testified -- with
Carroll's lawyers complaining to the judge.

It is separate to a case last year where another New York jury found Trump
liable for sexually assaulting Carroll in a department store dressing room in
1996 and subsequently defaming her in 2022, when he called her a "complete con
job."

Trump is attending the trial while also campaigning ahead for the New
Hampshire primary next week, as he is set to become the Republican candidate in
the November election against President Joe Biden.