Trump motion for judge to recuse himself over 'general hostility' swiftly denied

Attorneys for former President Donald Trump were denied Wednesday after they asked a judge to recuse himself in a defamation trial.

Following a lunch break on the second day of trial, one of the former president's lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to recuse himself.

"Trump counsel made a motion for Judge Kaplan to recuse himself, saying Carroll lawyer Shawn Crowley was Kaplan's law clerk and that Kaplan has expressed 'general hostility' toward the defense,'" Erica Owen of Politico wrote.

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Courthouse News reporter Matthew Russell emphasized the judge's response.

"De-nied," Kaplan reportedly said.

Trump is facing trial after defaming writer E. Jean Carroll by denying that he raped her. At an earlier trial, a jury found Trump sexually abused Carroll.