Two days before his first criminal trial begins in Manhattan, former President Donald J. Trump on Saturday reiterated that his charges are a massive attempt by Democrats to keep Trump out of the White House. He criticized the gag order imposed on the president. He was sentenced by the judge in the New York case.
“Two days from now, the whole world will witness the start of Mr. Biden’s first trial,” Trump said at a rally in eastern Pennsylvania, citing his frequent claims that President Biden orchestrated the New York incident. and mentioned false claims.
The case, which Mr. Trump called a “communist show trial,” was brought by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and has no connection to Mr. Biden.
Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is, as he always does, portraying himself as the victim of political persecution and protecting his supporters from a similar fate.
“I’m proud to be able to do this for you,” he told a crowd of supporters who had waited for hours in a windswept field in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, about going to trial. ”
There will be no television cameras in the courtroom. But Trump is expected to continue holding weekend rallies as he has in recent months, sometimes using press conferences as an extension of his campaign after his trial date.
Trump’s rally on Saturday came as Iran began airstrikes against Israel in retaliation for a deadly Israeli airstrike two weeks ago.
The former president, who often portrays himself as Israel’s staunchest ally, offered his prayers and support to the country. And Trump, as usual, effectively blamed Biden for the Gaza conflict, claiming that if Biden had won in 2020, the situation would not have happened.
“They’re under attack right now,” Trump said of Israel. “That’s because we’re showing great weakness.”
After a few minutes, members of the crowd began chanting “Genocide Joe.” It’s a phrase often associated with progressives protesting Biden’s support for Israel’s war in Gaza.
Trump has repeatedly said he supports Israel’s right to defend itself after the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack, and as the chants died down, he appeared to agree. “They’re not wrong,” he said.
Trump has repeatedly falsely claimed that he won the 2020 election and that Democrats deceived him from winning. Biden won Pennsylvania in 2020 by more than 80,000 votes.
Mr. Trump said of his political opponents, “They commit outrageous fraud,” but allegations of voter fraud are not supported by evidence. He went on to question the integrity of the November election, telling his supporters: Please start screaming. ”
Trump also criticized the gag order imposed on him over the Manhattan scandal in which he was accused of covering up a sex scandal surrounding his 2016 campaign.
The order prevents Trump from publicly attacking witnesses, jurors, court officials or prosecutors, with the exception of judges and the Manhattan district attorney.
“You’re going to be made to sit completely gagged. You’re not allowed to speak,” Trump said. “Can you believe it? They’re trying to take away my constitutional right to speak.”
