Former President Donald Trump has lashed out at the prosecutors in the unprecedented NY v. Trump trial, accusing them of weaponizing the legal system against him and proving his point that it is rigged.
Trump labeled the case a ‘sham’ and a ‘three-card Monte game’ during a speech delivered outside the Manhattan courthouse, where he has been on trial for allegedly concealing a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election. He cited the opinions of legal experts, including Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley, who questioned the existence of a crime in the case.
Trump also criticized the presiding judge, Juan Merchan, for his alleged bias and conflicts of interest, including his familial ties to the Democratic Party. He further attacked the trial as ‘lawfare,’ a strategy promoted by the Biden administration to undermine his chances of success in the 2024 presidential election.
The former president has repeatedly complained about the high security measures surrounding the trial, which he claims have prevented people from accessing the courthouse. He lamented the cost of the trial to the city of New York, accusing it of wasting ‘millions and millions of dollars’ while ignoring other issues such as homelessness and crime.
Trump’s jury trial resumed on Thursday, with the jury continuing deliberations on whether he is guilty of falsifying 34 business records. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts and denied having an affair with Daniels.
The trial has attracted considerable attention, with the outcome likely to have significant political implications. Trump has repeatedly hinted at running for president again in 2024, and a conviction in the NY v. Trump case could damage his chances of winning the Republican nomination.
