Trump's Lawyers Argue Accuser's Testimony Should've Been Thrown Out Over Airplane Venue
Accuser Failed to Provide Enough Details About Airplane Travel, They Say
Judge Signals Skepticism Toward Trump Lawyers' Argument
In a hearing on Tuesday, lawyers for former President Donald Trump argued that a woman who accused him of sexual assault should not have been allowed to testify because the alleged incident occurred on an airplane and therefore fell under federal jurisdiction.
Trump's lawyers argued the woman did not provide enough details about the airplane travel to establish that the incident occurred within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States.
The woman, identified only as Jane Doe, alleges that Trump groped her on a plane in the 1990s. She filed a lawsuit against Trump in 2019, and a judge ruled in her favor in 2021, allowing the case to proceed to trial.
Trump's lawyers are now appealing that decision. They argue that the judge should have dismissed the case because the alleged incident occurred on an airplane, which is considered federal territory. As such, they say, the woman's claims should be brought in federal court, not state court.
The judge hearing the appeal, U.S. Circuit Judge Denny Chin, seemed skeptical of Trump's lawyers' argument. He noted that the woman had provided some details about the airplane travel, such as the fact that she was on a commercial flight and that the incident occurred during the flight.
Chin also pointed out that the woman is not seeking to sue the airline. She is suing Trump, who was a private citizen at the time of the alleged incident.
The hearing is ongoing. It is unclear when Chin will issue a ruling.
If Chin rules in favor of Trump's lawyers, the case will be dismissed. If he rules against them, the case will proceed to trial.
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