Former President Donald J. Trump, two days before his first criminal trial in Manhattan, once again portrayed the charges against him as part of a Democratic effort to prevent him from returning to the White House. He criticized the gag order imposed by the judge in the New York case.
Speaking at a rally in eastern Pennsylvania, Mr. Trump referred to the upcoming trial as the “very first Biden trial,” falsely suggesting that President Biden was behind the case brought by the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
Despite calling it a “communist show trial,” Mr. Trump emphasized that the case has nothing to do with President Biden. He portrayed himself as a victim of political persecution and vowed to protect his supporters from a similar fate.
During the rally, Mr. Trump expressed his pride in standing trial for his followers and assured them that he would continue to fight for them. He also mentioned his plans to hold rallies and press conferences even after the trial begins.
Amidst Iran’s aerial attack on Israel, Mr. Trump expressed solidarity with Israel and criticized President Biden for the conflict in Gaza. He reiterated his false claims of winning the 2020 election and accused Democrats of cheating him out of victory.
Mr. Trump also took issue with the gag order in the Manhattan case, which restricts him from publicly attacking certain individuals involved in the trial. He argued that it infringes on his constitutional right to free speech.
