Judge rejects Trumps's defence over violence at campaign rally

President Donald Trump's free speech defense in a lawsuit in which he is accused of inciting violence against protesters during his campaign, has been flatly rejected by a federal judge.

Trump's lawyers sought to dismiss the lawsuit by three protesters who say they were roughed up by Trump supporters at a March 2016 campaign rally in Louisville, reports the Guardian.

Trump's lawyers have claimed that when the candidate said "Get 'em out of here", he didn't intend for his supporters to use force.

Two women and a man say they were shoved and punched by audience members as Trump directed them from the podium. Much of the scuffle was captured on video and widely broadcast during the presidential campaign.

Judge David J Hale in Louisville ruled on Friday that the suit against Trump, his campaign and three of his supporters can proceed.

He ruled that there was sufficient evidence supporting allegations that the injuries sustained by the protesters' were a "direct and proximate result" of Trump's actions.

"It is plausible that Trump's direction to 'get 'em out of here' advocated the use of force," Hale wrote.