Former President Donald Trump has made a series of claims during his ongoing hush money trial, many of which have been proven false.
Trump alleged that crowds of supporters were barred from attending the trial outside the courthouse. However, there is no evidence to support this claim.
Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with the judge and the trial process, blaming the current administration for his legal troubles. However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is handling the case, is a locally elected official and does not report to the federal government.
Trump further accused the District Attorney of neglecting violent crime in New York, stating that Bragg has allowed it to flourish at unprecedented levels. This claim is also false, as violent crime in Manhattan is not at its highest level, with 73 murders reported last year compared to over 500 in 1990.
Trump has also made false claims about the judge not allowing him to attend his son’s graduation and about legal scholars calling the case against him “absurd.”
Trump contends that the gag order makes it impossible for him to defend himself, saying, “I’d love to say everything that’s on my mind, but I’m restricted because I have a gag order.” However, the gag order only restricts Trump from publicly discussing witnesses, the jury, the District Attorney’s staff, or the judge’s family. Prosecutors have accused Trump of violating the gag order multiple times. A hearing on this matter is scheduled for next week.
