Judge threatens to kick Trump out of court, former president responds: 'I would love it'

The judge threatened to kick former President Donald Trump from the courtroom Wednesday during author E. Jean Carroll's second defamation trial against him in New York City, to which the former president responded that he would "love" to be removed. 

"Mr. Trump has the right to be present here. That right can be forfeited and it can be forfeited if he is disruptive, which what has been reported to me consists of. And if he disregards court orders, Mr. Trump, I hope I don’t have to consider excluding you from the trial," Judge Lewis Kaplan told Trump, who was reportedly making comments throughout the trial, according to CNN. 

Trump responded to Kaplan by throwing his hands up.

"I understand you’re probably eager for me to do that," the judge said. 

"I would love it," Trump said, according to reporters in the courtroom.

"I know you would," Kaplan responded. "You just can’t control yourself in this circumstance apparently."

The parties then took a break for lunch and left the courtroom. 

Carroll is seeking at least $10 million in damages in the latest trial after a jury found Trump liable for sexual battery and defamation last year in another lawsuit brought by Carroll. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.