E. Jean Carroll defamation case live updates: With Trump in attendance, Carroll set to testify as 1st witness

The start of former President Trump’s defamation trial this morning was delayed briefly by a juror transportation issue.

As proceedings got underway, outside the jury’s presence, a tense exchange unfolded between the judge and defense attorney Alina Habba, who again repeated a request to adjourn the trial on Thursday so Trump can attend the funeral of former first lady Melania Trump’s mother.

“I am asking your honor to have the kindness that my client deserves,” Habba said to Judge Lewis Kaplan, who has twice denied the defense’s request to postpone the trial due to Thursday’s funeral.

Kaplan, interrupting Habba, said, “Indeed Ms. Habba, the right that he has according to the Supreme Court of the United States is to be present either in person or through counsel.”

Habba persisted, with Trump looking on, prompting the judge to instruct her to “sit down” and make no further argument.

“I said sit down,” Kaplan said.

“I don’t like to be spoken to that way,” Habba responded. “I am asking your honor to please refrain from speaking to me that way. I am asking for an adjournment.”

“It’s denied. Sit down,” Kaplan said.