NEW YORK, Jan 23, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Donald Trump's sexual assault defamation
trial was delayed until Wednesday after a juror reported Covid symptoms on
the eve of the New Hampshire Republican presidential primary vote.

The juror in the civil case, at which Trump says he will testify, reported
symptoms of fever Monday, as did one of Trump's lawyers who had a separate
exposure, the federal court in New York said.

"We sent him home... We will not take testimony today, we will take the day
off," said Judge Lewis Kaplan of juror number three.

Following the announcement of the delay Trump was whisked away in a black
Chevrolet SUV.

E. Jean Carroll, a successful writer, is seeking more than $10 million in
damages for defamation by Trump, whom another New York civil jury last year
found liable for sexual assault against her.

Trump separately faces four serious criminal cases, including two over his
attempt to overthrow the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Joe
Biden.

Trump has shuttled between New York to attend the defamation case and a
separate civil fraud trial and New Hampshire campaign stops.

The primary is seen as the last, best chance for former UN ambassador Nikki
Haley to stop Trump, who despite being impeached twice as president and now
facing four indictments is as popular as ever among Republicans if not more
and has succeeded in imposing his far-right brand on the party.

A new Washington Post/Monmouth poll Monday showed Trump, 77, backed by 52
percent in New Hampshire to Haley's 34 percent.

The court confirmed the defamation case against Trump would resume Wednesday.