President Trump’s lawyers have asked a New York appeals court to dismiss or halt a defamation lawsuit filed by former “Apprentice” contestant Summer Zervos, who accused the president of sexual misconduct.
The president’s lawyers filed a notice of appeal Sunday and argued Zervos and her lawyer have “stated repeatedly that the true object of this lawsuit is political.”
Trump’s legal team is appealing a decision from a Manhattan Supreme Court judge to allow the defamation lawsuit Zervos filed against Trump to continue. The judge rejected Trump’s request for immunity from the lawsuit while serving as president.
The former “Apprentice” contestant sued the president after he alleged Zervos made up sexual assault allegations that she discussed in public in 2016. Zervos said Trump’s statements damaged her and her business. She is seeking an apology and $2,914.
Trump has denied Zervos’s claims he kissed her repeatedly and groped her in 2007, and said they were “false smears for personal fame.”
Lawyers for the president said Trump’s comments were “non-defamatory opinions made in quintessentially political forums during a political campaign” and cannot be used for a lawsuit.
Mariann Wang, Zervos’ lawyer, said she thinks the Manhattan judge’s “well-reasoned” decision will stand, according to the Associated Press.
