A federal judge threatened to kick Donald Trump out of court Wednesday after the former president made repeated comments within earshot of the jury hearing a civil defamation trial against him.

Trump muttered that the case is a “witch hunt,” among other similar comments, according to a lawyer for the writer E. Jean Carroll, who is suing Trump over derogatory comments he made about her while he was president.

The episode prompted a stern rebuke from U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who repeatedly tussled with Trump and his lawyers during a testy courtroom session Wednesday morning.

“Mr. Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited, and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive, which is what has been reported to me,” the judge said.

  • Veedem@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    136
    ·
    1 year ago

    He just seems like the kind of guy who’s never been punched in the face but really needs to be.

  • zcd@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    72
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    So it’s cool if we fuck around in court? Contempt isn’t a thing anymore?

    • RubberDuck@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      43
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      Federal judges (should) have a lot more decorum and patience. Actually all judges should have, but the US also popularized the mini dictators that dole out ridiculous punishments for “misbehaving”.

      People in court are not there because they bought tickets to the venue for their own enjoyment.

      While I agree Trump should also have some decorum, he is effectively rich trailer trash. The judge treats him as such and in my book that makes the judge an icon.

      The judge is above his petty nonsense but does take the time to make trump feel he is not in charge every time he steps out. And I think this is far worse for Trump’s feelings than being stuck in a holding cell, that would just fuel his martyr syndrome.

      • doingless@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        Yeah, somewhat wealthy former president, he’s probably thinking, “Why would I need to control myself?”

  • SleepingTower@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    54
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    1 year ago

    While “former president” is a correct title, the media should really use “petulant man-child” instead. Far more accurate .

    • stoly@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      1 year ago

      It’s more that the judges will play by the rules so super hard that Trump can never appeal on the basis of unfair treatment. The consequence is really that the trials continue on as if he had never spoken, proving that his crying and hand waving have no real effect.

    • octopus_ink@lemmy.ml
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      Yep. What motivation does he have for exercising control? Will they give him a fine that’s like pocket lint to him again?

    • experbia@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      It’s win/win for him. Either he shows how he can’t be controlled which riles up his supporters, or he can turn consequences around as evidence of the “corrupt Biden deep state” or something and get massive fundraising income and maybe convince some of his followers to launch terrorist attacks. This judge is having to weigh possible domestic terror retaliation against keeping his courtroom orderly.

  • TheJims@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    38
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    1 year ago

    This lawless former president is a disgusting degenerate just like his cult followers.

  • Wirrvogel@feddit.de
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    29
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Aaaand that’s why two of his lawyers withdrew only shortly before the trial one even just the day before. They realised how unhinged he is and that there was no way to stop him, so they left the sinking ship.

    • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      38
      arrow-down
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      He wants to be kicked out. His antics are meant to force it.

      This way he can go keep that martyred persecution complex working for him. Evangelicals love them a martyr,

      • grue@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        11
        ·
        1 year ago

        That’s why it’s important for them to put him in a holding cell instead of letting him pontificate to the media on the courthouse steps.

        • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          8
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year ago

          Well, that and the whole the fucker incited an insurrection, and has promised to do it again,

          • grue@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            5
            ·
            edit-2
            1 year ago

            No, that’s why it’s important to put him in a prison cell (or, you know, do what the Constitution actually prescribes as the penalty for treason), which is a bit of a separate issue. Really what needs to happen is first one, then the other.

            • FuglyDuck@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              4
              arrow-down
              1
              ·
              1 year ago

              jail, until the due process works out to a conviction, then prison while waiting for a more permanent solution?

              I don’t normally go in for capital punishment- it’s barbaric. but, eh, there are exceptions.

        • Zoboomafoo@slrpnk.net
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          ·
          1 year ago

          On the other hand, discount Hitler would like nothing better than to publish a ghost-written manifesto from jail

  • kittenzrulz123@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    19
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    1 year ago

    Honestly I don’t think Trump should be kicked out of court. I say let him ruin his case and insult the judge until he’s found guilty for contempt of court as well.

    • skulblaka@startrek.website
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      9
      ·
      1 year ago

      He’s already well past what would be considered contempt of court for literally any other living human being. They’re giving him as much rope as is possible for two reasons, one being so that absolutely no one can argue a mistrial, and the second being that he continues to attempt to hang himself with every length of rope let out to him. May as well let him continue.

      • stoly@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        1 year ago

        so that absolutely no one can argue a mistrial

        This is the part that people keep missing. Judges go into “Super Professional Mode” when these things happen and run their court so by the book that it’s impossible for anyone to complain bias/unfair treatment.

  • stoly@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    18
    arrow-down
    4
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    Mr. Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited, and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive…

    Doesn’t that make it a privilege?

    • SlothMama@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      9
      arrow-down
      4
      ·
      1 year ago

      Exactly. A right shouldn’t be able to be revoked, otherwise by definition it’s not a right.

      • hsinner@kbin.social
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        8
        ·
        1 year ago

        You’re confusing the word revoked with the word forfeited. He’s forfeiting it by disrupting the court. It’s like the right to remain silent when you’re arrested. The officer arresting you can’t revoke it and make you answer or say anything, but you can choose to forfeit it and start talking.

      • ninja@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        4
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        Then you have no rights. All freedoms granted you can be taken away for committing the right crime.

        • SlothMama@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          arrow-down
          3
          ·
          1 year ago

          Sure, that’s true, that’s why there are different types of rights, look up natural rights versus things like inalienable rights. At the end of the day all rights are just ideas and concepts, but still, I think calling it a right and threatening to take it away in the context of his trial is no bueno

  • Omega_Jimes@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    13
    ·
    1 year ago

    “I do not recognize the authority of a court that hangs the gilded flag. A flag with gilded edges signifies an admiralty court, an admiralty court signifies that this is a court martial. I can not be court martialed twice. Further more…”

    “Bailiff, gag that man.”