Fact Check: Trump Seeks Hearing Before Full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit
What We Know
The claim that "Trump had sought a hearing before the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit after a three-judge panel declined to overturn the judgment" is supported by multiple sources. Following a jury's verdict in 2023, which found Trump liable for battery and defamation against writer E. Jean Carroll, Trump attempted to challenge this ruling. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit denied his request for an en banc hearing, which would involve the full bench of the court reviewing the case after a three-judge panel had already upheld the jury's decision (ABC News, CNBC).
The appellate court's decision came without explanation, which is a common practice in such cases. A divided opinion from the court indicated that there was "no manifest error by the district court" that would warrant further review (ABC News).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust. Reports from reputable news outlets like ABC News and CNBC confirm that Trump did indeed seek a rehearing before the full 2nd Circuit after a three-judge panel had upheld the jury's verdict (ABC News, CNBC). The sources are credible, as they are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards.
The lack of a detailed explanation from the court regarding the denial of the en banc hearing is typical in appellate court proceedings, where such decisions often do not require public justification (ABC News). The dissenting opinion from Judge Steven Menashi, a Trump appointee, adds nuance to the situation, suggesting that there were differing views on the merits of the case, but it does not contradict the fact that Trump sought further review (ABC News).
Overall, the claim is substantiated by multiple credible sources, and the context surrounding the legal proceedings adds to the reliability of the information.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Trump sought a hearing before the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit after a three-judge panel declined to overturn the judgment is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible news sources confirms that Trump made this request following the unfavorable ruling from the three-judge panel.
