Trump abruptly leaves court during closing arguments in E Jean Carroll trial

Ex-president's departure came as Carroll's lead attorney noted he had continued to defame former Elle writer during trial

As E Jean Carroll's second defamation trial against Donald Trump neared its final stage Friday morning in New York, proceedings quickly took a turn for the absurd with the judge threatening his lawyer with lockup" and the ex-president leaving about 10 minutes into the former Elle writer's closing argument. Trump returned to court for his defense's closing.

Trump's abrupt departure came as Carroll's lead attorney, Roberta Kaplan, was delivering her closing argument - shortly after she noted that he had continued to defame the former Elle writer during this very trial. Trump left.