Donald Trump has lashed out at the “totally conflicted” judge overseeing the former president’s falsifying business records case on the eve of the historic criminal trial.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday night, Trump hit out at New York Judge Juan Merchan, who was previously found to have donated a small sum to President Joe Biden‘s 2020 campaign, while also suggesting he will be “fighting for myself but, much more importantly, I will be fighting for our Country” during proceedings which are due to begin Monday with jury selection.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in relation to so-called “hush money” he arranged for his former lawyer Michael Cohen to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep an alleged affair she and Trump had a secret ahead of the 2016 election. The money was listed in Trump’s company records as “legal fees,” which prosecutors suggest was part of an unlawful attempt to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential race.
Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, denies having an affair with Daniels.
The proceedings in New York will be the first time in U.S. history that a former president has gone on trial to face criminal charges, and could also be a major factor in determining who wins the 2024 election between Trump and Biden. Polls frequently suggest voters will be put off backing the Republican if he is found guilty of a crime before the November election.
Writing on social media, Trump attacked Merchan, as well as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office brought the charges against the former president. Trump alleged the trial was “election interference” aimed at stopping him re-entering the White House.
“Just four years ago I was a very popular and successful President of the United States, getting more votes than any sitting President in history,” Trump wrote.
“Tomorrow morning I’ll be in Criminal Court, before a totally conflicted Judge, a Corrupt Prosecutor, a Legal System in CHAOS, a State being overrun by violent crime and corruption, and Crooked Joe Biden’s henchmen ‘Rigging the System’ against his Political Opponent, ME!
“I will be fighting for myself but, much more importantly, I will be fighting for our Country. Election Interference like this has never happened in the USA before and, hopefully, will never happen again,” Trump added. “We are now a Nation in serious Decline, a Failing Nation, but we will soon be a Great Nation Again. November 5th will be the most important day in the History of the United States. MAGA2024! SEE YOU TOMORROW.”
Trump’s legal team and Bragg’s office have been contacted for comment via email.
