Former President Donald Trump's latest statement defending himself against accusations levied by writer E. Jean Carroll failed to impress one political analyst — and may have alarmed his lawyers.
The New Republic's Edith Olmstead argued on Friday that Trump's New York City press conference served namely to remind viewers of the numerous sexual assault accusations he faces and disgruntle his legal team.
"Trump on Friday inexplicably started detailing two horrific sexual assault allegations made against him, as part of a hapless attempt to discredit a completely different sexual assault allegation," wrote Olmstead. "Throughout his remarks, Trump’s lawyers looked increasingly displeased with their client’s ramblings."
The press conference came on the heels of an appeals court hearing where Trump's legal team argued his civil defamation trial earlier this year included improper evidence.
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Trump doubled down on those claims outside the courtroom.
“There were two witnesses. One is a woman who followed me for years,” Trump said, referring to Jessica Leeds, a woman who accuses Trump of groping her when they were seated next to each other on an airplane. “We became very intimate. I was famous then too. I’ve been famous for a long time."
Trump then complained about allegations brought against him by Natasha Stoynoff, who has alleged Trump pushed her against a wall and forcibly kissed her at Mar-a-Lago in 2005.
Olmstead reports Trump struggled to recall Stoynoff's name and ultimately turned to attorney Alina Habba for help.
“Swornov? Yeah. I don’t have it,” Trump said. “Whatever her name was—I don’t know the lady, so. Perhaps it’s better that way, but I don’t know the lady.”
Olmstead described his response as "confused."
Carroll has alleged that Trump sexually abused her in a New York City department store in the 1990s. Trump responded to the allegations by repeatedly denying he even knew her, and that she was fabricating the story to advance her writing career. This formed the basis of the defamation suit against him.
A jury has found Trump civilly liable for sexual abuse and multiple juries found him liable for defamation against Carroll, with a judgment totaling over $80 million. Trump is trying to appeal that verdict.
On Friday, Trump lashed out against the lawyers who stood behind him.
“I’m disappointed in my legal talent, I’ll be honest with you,” Trump said.
