DUBLIN – Donald Trump might not testify in a New York civil trial against a woman who has accused him of rape – but was happy to brand her a “disgrace” Thursday while golfing at his course in Ireland.
The former U.S. president hopped off a golf cart to tell reporters he was flying back to New York later Thursday – and launched a four-minute diatribe against his accuser, author E. Jean Carroll. She is suing him over an alleged 1996 attack and for defamation.
When asked by reporters whether he was willing to face cross-examination in the New York courtroom, Trump – who has provided only a taped deposition and won’t be required to testify unless he chooses to do so – left open the possibility. His New York legal team has ruled out the prospect.
“I’m going to go back [to New York] and I’m going to confront this woman. This woman is a disgrace,” said Trump, who repeatedly declined to call Carroll by her name and insisted he has “no idea who she is.”
Trump had been expected only to be videoed and photographed while teeing off at his golf resort in the village of Doonbeg, County Clare.
But after striking the ball down the fairway, he could be seen discussing options with his son Eric and Secret Service officers. Then he hopped off the cart and walked over with club in hand and a red “Make America Great Again” cap on.
He denounced Carroll as “a fake” and the federal judge hearing the case, Lewis Kaplan, as “a rough judge,” who had been “appointed by Bill Clinton.”
Trump said he was the victim of “false accusations against a rich guy. Or in my case against a famous, rich and political person that’s leading the polls by 40 points.”
Recent polls that have put Trump far ahead of his potential challenger for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Trump also took the opportunity to tee off on U.S. President Joe Biden, who last month announced his intention to seek reelection and spent four days touring Ireland.
After striking his shot, Trump claimed it had travelled about 280 feet. “Biden can’t hit it 80 down the middle,” he said.
He called the Carroll lawsuit “a political attack” funded by Democratic Party activists.
“This is the only way they think they can win the election because they’re losing, Biden is losing. He’s down by 11,” said Trump, who didn’t clarify the source for that claim, at odds with recent polling that puts support for the two men much closer.
“And my Republican opponent is down by 45. He’s disappeared,” he said of DeSantis, extending his own claimed lead over his Republican opponent.
Trump arrived in western Ireland Wednesday night, accompanied by scores of Secret Service agents and Irish police in a motorcade that took an hour to drive from Shannon Airport to Doonbeg.
Senior Irish government officials stayed away, stressing that Trump was visiting in a private capacity – a departure from post-White House visits by other former U.S. presidents.
