Former President Donald Trump compared himself to former South African Nelson Mandela this week in discussing a possible jail sentence should he violate a gag order placed by a judge.
The former president’s trial for allegedly paying a former adult film actress after a short relationship is set to start next week. He faces a gag order from Judge Juan Merchan in the case, which the former president may have violated recently.
The former president wrote on social media that the judge was “not allowing me to talk, thereby violating the Law and the Constitution, all at once.” He said that it was “so bad what he is trying to get away with.” The former president then asked how the judge was chosen in the case.
“I heard he fought like hell to get it, and all of the rest of them also!” wrote the former president. “If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the “clink” for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela – It will be my GREAT HONOR.”
BREAKING: Donald Trump dares Judge to put him in jail for violating his gag order:
“If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the “clink” for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela – It will be my GREAT HONOR.” pic.twitter.com/Dm9ZgAPojo
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) April 7, 2024
Trump wrote that Americans had to “Save our Country from these Political Operatives masquerading as Prosecutors and Judges, and I am willing to sacrifice my Freedom for that worthy cause. We are a Failing Nation” but said that the country would become a “Great Nation again” after the election.
The gag order prevents the former president from making negative statements regarding jurors, witnesses, prosecutors, court staff or their families during the trial.
“Such inflammatory, extrajudicial statements undoubtedly risk impeding the orderly administration of this court,” wrote the judge. “Given that the eve of trial is now upon us, it is without question that the imminency of the risk of harm is now paramount.”
The former president’s legal team attempted to have Merchan removed from the case, especially after his daughter aided a number of causes linked to the Democratic Party.
The judge denied that this would impact the case.
