Trump sounds off on 'total phony' E. Jean Carroll case as he appeals verdict

Former President Donald Trump on Friday fumed over writer E. Jean Carroll's claims that he raped her in a Bergdorf Goodman dressing room in the 1990s, calling her claims a "total phony story."

Trump made the remarks at a press conference at Trump Tower in New York after briefly appearing in court while his legal team appealed a jury verdict holding him liable for defamation and sexual battery.

A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse but did not find that Trump raped Carroll. It further held him liable for defamation stemming from his denials of her story.

During the press conference, Trump reiterated his denials of Carroll's story, saying he "never met her" and she had likely made up the story to "promote a book."

While he expressed support for his legal team, he lamented that "legal talent cannot overcome rigged judges" and insisted that the case was part of a larger political effort to derail his campaign.

Trump's legal team has argued that the judge prevented them from cross-examining witnesses on key issues and from bringing relevant evidence.