Trump’s trial in E. Jean Carroll defamation case begins: Live updates

Donald Trump’s lawyer Alina Habba sparred with Judge Lewis Kaplan at the start of the trial Tuesday over Trump’s appearance later in the week, after the judge admonished Habba for repeating some arguments on issues he ruled on ahead of trial.

“When the ruling is made that is the end not the beginning of argument,” Kaplan said at one point — perhaps as a nod to the lengthy arguments Judge Arthur Engoron allowed in Trump’s recent New York civil fraud trial.

Habba requested the judge grant an adjournment Thursday, so Trump does not have to decide whether to be in court at trial or at his mother-in-law’s funeral.

“I am asking you, sir, now for a one-day adjournment of this trial” Thursday to “allow my clients to be there so that he can be present for every day of this trial as he has a right to be,” Habba said.

“I am not stopping him from being there,” Kaplan said.

“No, you’re stopping him from being here, Your Honor,” Habba responded.

“The argument is over,” Kaplan said, declining to change his previous ruling.

Kaplan said Habba previously asked in her letter for a week-long adjournment to start the trial next Monday. Today, she asked for an adjournment only on Thursday. Kaplan reiterated his written ruling that Trump could only delay his testimony until next Monday.