When Donald Trump appeared in a Manhattan courthouse on Monday, it marked the first time in history that a former US president went on trial for allegedly committing a crime. He faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to his 2016 hush money payments; the maximum penalty for each count is four years in prison. He would not be able to pardon himself, even if he manages to win the 2024 election as a potentially convicted felon, because this is a state case. In other words, assuming he cares about his freedom, the stakes are extremely high.
Given the gravity of the situation, did Trump spend the days leading up to the trial getting himself to a calm, zen place? Prioritizing time with family, his mental health, etc.? Going on some walks in nature and doing what he could to keep his blood pressure under control? Publicly declaring, “Whatever happens on Monday and over the next several months, knowing that I have the love of a woman who’s with me is what keeps me going”? Not exactly!
No, instead, he went on a series of predictably unhinged rants on Truth Social, in which he rebranded the case the “Biden Manhattan Witch Hunt Case,” referenced the Miss Universe pageant, attacked the judge and a key witness for the prosecution, and appeared to violate his gag order.
On Saturday, he logged onto his social media network—whose stock plunged on Monday—and told his followers: “There is NO WAY I can be given a Fair (Biden) Trial on Monday with Judge Juan Merchan, who is totally conflicted and corrupt, presiding. Soros backed Alvin Bragg, the ‘District Attorney’ who has, along with his sidekick Leticia James [sic], let violent crime flourish in New York, never wanted to bring this case because it is a sham and mockery of our legal system. He brought it anyway for purposes of saving the WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!” Eight minutes later, he wondered aloud, “Has disgraced attorney and felon Michael Cohen been prosecuted for LYING?” then responded, to himself: “Only TRUMP people get prosecuted by this Judge and these thugs! A dark day for our Country. MAGA2024!!!” Less than 20 minutes after that, he asked and answered: “WHY DIDN’T THE MANHATTAN D.A. BRING THIS RIDICULOUS & LAMBASTED CASE SEVEN YEARS AGO? Because they are corrupt and wanted to use it for purposes of Election Interference against Crooked Joe Biden’s Political Opponent!”
Then came…whatever this was:
I owned the Miss Universe Pageant for 19 years, did VERY well with it, sold it to IMG at a great profit, and ran for President. It was a contest like no other! But now I have one that’s even better. Who is the WORST, most EVIL and most CORRUPT JUDGE? Would it be Judge Arthur Engoron, Judge Lewis Kaplan or, could it be that my current New York disaster, Judge Juan Merchan, is the WORST? They are all from violent crime (without retribution!) filled New York, are really bad Judges, are extraordinarily conflicted and unfair, and most obviously to all, suffer from a rare but very lethal disease, TDS, commonly known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME. Please reply here!!!
Followed by more attacks on the judge presiding over the case:
“Judge Juan Merchan, perhaps the most highly conflicted Judge in New York State history, only gave us a short period of time to read and study hundreds of thousands of pages of documents that D.A. Alvin Bragg illegally hid, disguised, and held back from us. Of course, and as the Judge knows, we need far more time than that. They could have started this Fake Biden Trial many years ago, not right in the middle of my campaign for President, and time would not be a problem. This is a blatant and unprecedented attack on Crooked Joe Biden’s Political Opponent (who is leading in every poll!), done in close coordination with the White House, that cannot be allowed to go forward!”
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