SAN DIEGO (AP) – Tarla Makaeff has fought Donald Trump in court for six years. Now, as the Republican presidential front-runner and his lawyers try to portray the Southern California yoga instructor as the face of a federal class-action lawsuit against Trump University, she wants out.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel will consider Makaeff’s request to withdraw from a lawsuit that says Trump University seminars and instruction fleeced students with unfilled promises to teach the secrets of real estate success. Her attorneys say Trump and his lawyers have put her “through the wringer.”
Trump called her a “horrible, horrible witness” at a rally in Arkansas last month. On social media this week, his one-word characterization of her request to withdraw – “Disgraceful!” – was retweeted more than 3,200 times.
Trump’s attorneys say the lawsuit should be dismissed if Makaeff is allowed to withdraw, arguing that their trial strategy centers on her. They identify her as “the critical witness.”
Makaeff’s attorneys say Trump’s argument that their client is indispensable to the billionaire’s defense “is illogical to the point of being nearly incomprehensible.” They note the judge allowed two plaintiffs to withdraw last year; three others would remain.