Internet split as judge snaps at Trump lawyer Alina Habba after denying E Jean Carroll trial adjournment

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Judge Lewis Kaplan and Trump attorney Alina Habba had a nasty exchange on the second day of the proceedings in the defamation lawsuit filed by writer E Jean Carroll against former President Donald Trump.

Based on a report by Daily Mail, the New York judge scolded Habba on Wednesday, January 17, when she repeated the request to delay the trial so Trump could attend his mother-in-law's funeral on January 18 in Florida.

Judge Kaplan, who had previously rejected the attorney's request on January 12 to delay the proceedings, stated, "Mr Trump is free to attend the trial, the funeral, or all or parts of both, as he wishes."

Former first lady Melania Trump's mother, Amalija Knavs, 78, died on January 9.

Judge asked Alina Habba to 'sit down'

Before the plaintiff took the stand to make her statements, Habba again asked for an adjournment of the trial.

"The application is denied," Judge Kaplan said. "I will hear no further argument on it."

However, Habba continued to speak, irking the judge. "None. Do you understand that word?" he asked. "Sit down."

The attorney fired back, saying, "I don't like to be spoken to in that way, your honor." Kaplan cut her off, saying, "It's denied. Sit down."

The judge also snapped at Trump for making loud remarks during Carroll's statement and threatened to kick him out of the courtroom.

Since the judge denied his request the first time, the GOP frontrunner has made it into a campaign tool, labeling the judge "unfair" and "biased."

Besides slamming Kaplan on multiple occasions, Trump also vowed to attend his mother-in-law's funeral despite repercussions.

Internet reacts to courtroom drama

The courtroom proceedings have divided netizens into two groups.

While some users on X criticized Kaplan's "unprofessional" behavior, another group appreciated him for "setting a boundary" for Trump and his attorney.

One user remarked, "Karma isn't far away from all of this corruption."

Another opined, "Open hostility by the judge is disgusting."

"That's awful!!!" read a third response. A fourth user added, "Unbelievably UNPROFESSIONAL!"

On the other hand, one user said, "Judge was entirely appropriate under the circumstances. Being a trial lawyer means either knowing your judge or taking your lumps. She chose lumps."

"Like Trump, she doesn't like to be told NO," read another reaction.

Applauding the judge, a user said, "Great judge, he knows these two need limit and boundary settings!"

"Good job judge. This isn’t tRump’s show The Apprentice," a response read.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.