NEW YORK _ President Donald Trump is fighting a ruling allowing a one-time "Apprentice" contestant's defamation lawsuit to move forward, contending he can't be sued while he's in office.
Trump insisted Monday in Manhattan Supreme Court filings that the U.S. Constitution protects him from a lawsuit filed by Summer Zervos, who had appeared on his reality TV show.
Zervos had claimed that Trump slimed her on the campaign trail after she publicly accused him of groping her in 2007.
Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Schecter previously shot down Trump's push to dismiss Zervos' suit _ which was based on claims of presidential immunity.
"No one is above the law. It is settled that the President of the United States has no immunity and is 'subject to the laws' for purely private acts," Schecter ruled on March 20.
Trump's lawyers are taking the same legal position in their notice of appeal, however, again arguing that the Constitution "bars state courts from exercising jurisdiction over a sitting President for reasons of federalism, comity, and local prejudice."
Team Trump is also saying that the court should have put the proceedings on hold _ and that any statements Trump made about Zervos are "subjective opinions."
Zervos' lawyer, Mariann Wang, said in an email, "We believe the court's well-reasoned decision will be upheld, and look forward to proving Ms. Zervos's claim."
Zervos had filed her lawsuit against Trump in January 2017, charging that he groped her and "kissed her on the mouth repeatedly" without consent.
Zervos said Trump defamed her by claiming the allegations were made up and for "personal gain."
