Former President Donald Trump has launched a new attack on New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, calling her a “maggot” and falsely claiming that thousands of supporters were blocked from gathering outside the courthouse where his hush money trial is taking place. Trump’s claims have been debunked by reporters at the scene. The former president also criticized the judge overseeing the case and suggested that the prosecution is a “scam” and a “hit job.”
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump accused Haberman of falsely reporting that he was disappointed with the crowds outside the courthouse. He also claimed that the streets were closed off by police, preventing supporters from gathering. However, video footage shows that the streets were open to traffic and there were barely any demonstrators in support of Trump.
Trump’s latest outburst is the latest in a series of attacks on Haberman, who has long enjoyed close access to the former president. However, their relationship has soured as Haberman has covered Trump’s behavior in the courtroom, including his inability to stay awake.
Trump also claimed that huge crowds of his supporters turned up to rally for him in Manhattan and were turned away by police, but this claim also appears not to be true. NBC News video footage shows the streets around the courthouse open to traffic, with barely anyone demonstrating in support of the former president.
Haberman herself has also debunked the idea that local streets were closed off during the trial, a point that has further enraged Trump.
