Trump seeks to delay E. Jean Carroll civil rape trial in NYC

Former President Donald Trump is seeking to delay his upcoming civil trial on allegations that he raped writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s — arguing for a “cooling off” period after his indictment on criminal charges late last month. 

Trump attorney Joe Tacopina requested the month-long delay in a letter Tuesday to Judge Lewis Kaplan, who will oversee the trial in Manhattan federal court.

The trial is scheduled to begin on April 25. 

“Holding the trial of this case a mere three weeks after these historic events will guarantee that many, if not most, prospective jurors will have the criminal allegations top of mind when judging President Trump’s defense against Ms. Carroll’s allegations,” Tacopina wrote.

“President Trump can only receive a fair trial in a calmer media environment than the one created by the New York County district attorney,” he added.

Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in March on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to hush-money payments ahead of the 2016 election and pleaded not guilty at an April 4 arraignment in Manhattan criminal court. 

In response to the request, Carroll’s lawyer urged Kaplan not to grant the delay, arguing the claims were meritless and will provide Trump more opportunity to avoid the Manhattan federal trial. 

“Trump’s mounting legal difficulties have given rise to substantial press coverage and will continue to do so; he is not only a former President, but also a declared candidate in the next presidential election,” attorney Roberta Kaplan wrote. 

“As a result, each passing week will offer Trump yet another straw to grasp at in his campaign to avoid standing trial for sexually assaulting Carroll,” she added. 

In her suit, Carroll claims Trump raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the 1990s and then made defamatory statements that attacked her for making the allegation. 

Kaplan has yet to rule on the request by Trump.