Trump Apoplectic After Judge Issues Fine and Threatens Jail: ‘This Whole Trial Is RIGGED’

Donald Trump did not react well to Judge Juan Merchan’s decision to impose a fine on the former president for violating a gag order.

On Tuesday, Merchan ruled that Trump violated the gag order in his New York criminal trial nine times. The judge fined Trump $9,000 and warned him that he could end up in jail if he continues to run afoul of the order.

“Defendant is hereby warned that the Court will not tolerate continued willful violations of its lawful orders and that if necessary and appropriate under the circumstances, it will impose an incarceratory punishment,” Merchan wrote.

During a break in the proceedings, Trump took to Truth Social where he expressed outrage and attacked Merchan, who is not covered by the gag order.

“This Judge has taken away my Constitutional Right to FREE SPEECH,” Trump wailed. “I am the only Presidential Candidate in History to be GAGGED. This whole “Trial” is RIGGED, and by taking away my FREEDOM OF SPEECH, THIS HIGHLY CONFLICTED JUDGE IS RIGGING THE PRESIDENTIAL OF 2024 ELECTION. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!!”

About two hours later, the former president went after the judge again.

“This is a total Witch Hunt. Hours of sitting down and listening to nothing except EXONERATION AND LIES,” he said. “The Trial is going like a speeding bullet, because the Judge is working hard to make all of his friends happy. Merchan is Rigged, Crooked, and, above all, and without question, CONFLICTED. It’s a disgrace to our Country — They’ve taken away my Right to Free Speech. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!!!”

After court adjourned for the day, Trump addressed reporters at the courthouse where he alleged President Joe Biden is behind his prosecution.

“It’s a Biden trial,” he claimed. “It’s a disgrace to New York.”

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records to obscure hush money payments to conceal extramarital affairs he had before the 2016  election.

The former president is also under indictment in three other jurisdictions. Two of the cases revolve around his attempt to overturn the 2020 election. A fourth stems from his retention of government documents after leaving office. He has pleaded not guilty to all 88 counts he faces.

Watch above via CNN.

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