On the heels of former President Trump's video-taped deposition in the E. Jean Carroll rape case, another proceeding will likely find the former president again answering questions under oath.
A discovery hearing is set in federal court in Miami Wednesday in the former president's $500 million lawsuit against his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Sources say that Trump is expected to be subpoenaed to testify in the case, and that as the plaintiff he cannot legally avoid giving a deposition.
Trump accuses Cohen of defaming him and breaking a confidentiality agreement by "spreading falsehoods" about him in Cohen's books, interviews and his podcast "Mea Culpa."
But Cohen's side has moved to dismiss the case, claiming that the former president's "retaliatory conduct has been petty and mean spirited," that his lawsuit has passed the statute of limitations. In addition, Cohen attorney Danya Perry argued that Mr. Cohen's personal statements are protected speech and do not violate any purported confidentiality agreement because they deal with Trump's reputation and not confidential business matters of the Trump Organization, which employed Cohen.
"It is a mystery in what way Mr. Trump's reputation could possibly have suffered. Mr. Trump's ignominy is globally known and had been well before Mr. Cohen published his book. It is the product of decades of Mr. Trump's own actions, which he has thrust onto a global stage for all to see," said the court document.