NEW YORK CITY, New York – Former President Donald Trump unexpectedly left the courtroom during E. Jean Carroll’s defamation trial. Carroll, a writer, accused Trump of raping her in the 1990s and filed a defamation lawsuit against him after he denied the allegation.

Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, was delivering her closing argument when Trump walked out. It remains unclear why Trump left, but it happened while Kaplan was addressing the jury about Trump’s lack of respect for a prior jury verdict. Judge Lewis Kaplan, who is not related to the attorney, took note of Trump’s departure and warned the defense to remain seated, including Trump’s associate Boris Epshteyn, who had left the courtroom with Trump but returned without him.

The unexpected exit adds another twist to the high-profile case, which began in 2019. Trump has denied the rape allegation and claimed that Carroll fabricated the story to sell a book. The trial has attracted significant attention, not only because of the serious nature of the allegations but also due to Trump’s status as a former president.

The defamation trial has become a focal point in the debate over whether a sitting president can face lawsuits for conduct outside of their official duties. Some legal experts argue that holding a former president accountable for his pre-presidential actions is essential for upholding the rule of law, while others believe that it sets a dangerous precedent for the future. The outcome of this trial could have broader implications for similar cases in the future, making it one of the most closely watched legal battles in recent years.