Trump theatrics are already 'adding zeros' to E. Jean Carroll payout: analyst

Donald Trump’s courtroom shenanigans have already begun to “add zeros” to the payout he’ll be ordered to pay E. Jean Carroll in her defamation lawsuit, an MSNBC legal analyst predicts.

Katie Phang had a ringside seat Tuesday in the New York City court where both the former president and Carroll, the woman Trump has been found liable of sexually abusing and defaming, appeared in the same room for the first time in years.

“Trump appearing for this trial will most assuredly just be adding more zeros to that jury verdict,” Phang writes. “He appears to have failed to learn his lesson.”

Phang points to Trump’s inability to remain quiet on the subject of Carroll — his Truth Social account smeared the former journalist even as he sat in the courtroom — and the no-nonsense demeanor of Lewis Kaplan, the federal judge overseeing the trial.

“If Trump tries to pull any stunts before Kaplan, who runs a very, very tight ship, the former president could be looking at being held in contempt,” Phang argues.

“There’s no leeway for theatrics or drama by Trump — in Kaplan’s own words, ‘no do-overs allowed.’’”

These extra antics can only build on the strength of the case brought by Carroll, who successfully sued the former president for defamation and sexual abuse last year, Phang argues.

Trump has been found liable both for sexual abuse in a luxury Manhattan department store in the 1990s and the denials a jury found last year to be defamatory against Carroll. Trump denies wrongdoing.

The current trial involves other comments Trump directed at Carroll in 2019, while president. The judge has already found him liable, meaning the jury is considering damages.

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Carroll’s legal team comes to this trial with an experienced expert witness the previous jury found “compelling and credible,” Phang writes.

In comparison, Trump has taken to television and social media to echo claims Kaplan has already ruled to be defamatory.

“His offensive conduct has been covered widespread by the media,” Phang concludes, “which means a very high probability that prospective jurors have also heard and seen his repeated defamation of Carroll, which always presents its own challenge.”