‘I Have To Be Here — Not Campaigning!’ Trump Complains Bitterly Outside Fraud Trial He’s Attending Voluntarily

Former President Donald Trump complained bitterly outside the courtroom where his fraud trial is being held because “I have to be here” instead of campaigning — even though his attendance is not mandatory.

On Wednesday morning, Trump showed up for a second straight day for his trial in the fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James and presided over by Judge Arthur Engoron. Trump was also in court Tuesday for the continuation of the fraud trial, during which he took the occasional opportunity to rant to reporters about the case.

Trump was immediately peppered with shouted questions from reporters who asked about the bombing of a Gaza hospital and the failed election to try and install Rep. Jim Jordan as speaker of the House.

Later, Trump emerged from the courtroom during a break in the proceedings and was again bombarded with questions from reporters about the speaker’s race, which he answered by lashing out at the AG and complaining that he had to be in court instead of out campaigning for the presidency:

REPORTER: Mr. President are there enough votes for Jim Jordan?

Speaker 1 I’ve been wasting a lot of time on a case that should have never been brought. You see what’s happening. The government. The government lied. They just lied. They didn’t reveal all of the information that they had. They didn’t reveal all the evidence that made me totally innocent of anything that they say. The government lied. They totally misrepresented the case.

So, unfortunately, I have to be here, I’m not campaigning! I have to be here for this. What has taken place today. And also, I assume you were all in there. This was like Perry Mason.

REPORTER: Will you appeal the decision?

REPORTER 2: Mr. President does Jim Jordan have the votes?

Watch above via Reuters.