Former US President Donald Trump has referred to the civil rape case he faces in New York as a “disgrace” and a “huge political scam.”
Trump told reporters he had been “falsely accused” after arriving at his hotel and golf resort outside Doonbeg, County Clare, Ireland.
E Jean Carroll, a columnist for a magazine, claims that he assaulted her in a New York department store dressing room in 1996.
She is also suing him for defamation after he accused her of lying when she went public in 2019 with her account of the alleged assault.
“I’ll be returning to New York because this woman unjustly implicated me. I am unaware of who she is. “It’s absurd,” he said.
She made a claim and published a book. It is a shame. I’ll be leaving early because a woman made a completely false and fabricated claim.
“She is a fraud, she authored a book, and she is a Democrat. We have a harsh jurist; this judge does not like me very much.
“It is a travesty, but I must do it because it is a part of existence.
“This claim is false, just like all the other false claims. It’s all a political swindle.”
Mr. Trump claimed he was targeted because he was “famous, wealthy, and a politician.”
“Because of this, I am compelled to abandon Ireland and Scotland, where I own valuable real estate, in advance. “I’m not required to, but I choose to,” he explained.
“I’ll undoubtedly attend [the trial], and I believe it’s a disgrace that this woman, who keeps a diary, did not record this event.
“It’s a disgrace that fraudulent accusations can be made against a wealthy man, or in my case, against a famous, wealthy, and political figure who is 40 points ahead in the surveys.
“I must return for a woman who made a fraudulent accusation against me, and my judge is extremely antagonistic.
This woman is a travesty, and such behavior should not be tolerated in our country.
It is a political assault. They believe this is the only way they can win the election. There is nothing mentioned in the diary; it is entirely fictitious.”
The visit occurs while he is facing multiple investigations in the United States.
He was the first former US president in history to face criminal proceedings last month.
Mr. Trump was indicted in New York on 34 criminal offenses relating to a purported hush money payment to adult actress Stormy Daniels.
In addition, he may face criminal prosecution in Georgia for alleged criminal interference in the 2020 US presidential election.
After completing a round of golf, Trump drove his golf cart past a group of reporters and asked if they were “having a good time”.
“Did you not know this about Trump?” he asked.
The 76-year-old was then questioned as to whether he will pursue the Irish-American vote in the 2016 US presidential election.
Trump stated, “I’m looking right now, which is why I’m speaking with you.”
In response, a correspondent stated, “Joe Biden is convinced he has it.”
Before leaving, Trump stated, “Biden is an incompetent individual. Have a pleasant time, everyone.”
Trump purchased the now-named Trump International golf resort and hotel in the coastal village of Clare in 2014 for an estimated €15 million.
Mr. Trump’s last presidential visit to the 400-acre resort was in 2019.
Wednesday he arrived in Shannon from Scotland, where he had visited another of his resorts, Turnberry. Scotland is also the ancestral residence of his mother.
