'It's a malicious prosecution': Alina Habba sparks debate as she condemns Judge Juan Merchan's 'unbelievable' conduct in Trump's hush money trial

Donald Trump's legal spokesperson Alina Habba recently slammed Judge Juan Merchan over his 'visceral' reaction to defense witness Robert Costello
PUBLISHED MAY 30, 2024
Donald Trump's lawyer Alina Habba ripped Judge Juan Merchan (Fox News/YouTube, Getty Images)
Donald Trump's lawyer Alina Habba ripped Judge Juan Merchan (Fox News/YouTube, Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Donald Trump's attorney, Alina Habba, criticized Judge Juan Merchan for displaying "anger" in the courtroom and accused him of being biased against the former president's legal team during an appearance on Fox News host Jesse Watters' primetime show. 

This came after the defense and prosecution presented their closing arguments in the hush money trial on Tuesday, May 28. 



 

Alina Habba slams Judge Juan Merchan's 'unbelievable' conduct

During the Fox News show, Habba said, "It's unbelievable. I mean, you've seen it and the way that the visceral reaction that this judge had when we had our one witness come up and he threw the press out. That kind of anger – that kind of TDS frankly – we saw it with De Niro today."

She was referring to one of the two defense witnesses, attorney Robert Costello, who was reprimanded by Judge Merchan over his behavior while on the witness stand.

"If you don’t like my ruling, you don’t say 'jeez,' you don’t say 'strike it' because I’m the only one who can strike testimony in court. You don’t give me side eye, and you don’t roll your eyes," told the judge to the defense witness. 

Alina Habba agreed with interviewer Jesse Waters' own slams on the judge (Fox News)
Alina Habba and Jesse Waters discussed the hush money trial as it reached closing arguments (Fox News)

Habba's use of the term "TDS" refers to "Trump Derangement Syndrome," a phrase popularized by Trump. The former president used it riding his recent rant against Robert De Niro, who had appeared outside Manhattan Criminal Court at a Biden campaign press conference on Tuesday. 

The Hollywood actor reprimanded the MAGA spearhead, noting, "Donald Trump wants to destroy not only the city but the country, and, eventually, he could destroy the world." 

In his Truth Social tirade, Trump called De Niro a "wacko" and said he suffered from "an incurable case of TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME." 

Moreover, in another Truth Social post on Wednesday, he criticized Judge Merchan by referring to him as "conflicted," "biased," and "unfair" over his jury instructions. In one more post, the former president dubbed him a "highly conflicted, radical left" judge while denouncing the hush money case as a "third world election interference hoax." 

Donald Trump says 'Republicans eat their young' on Truth Social (@realdonaldtrump/Truth Social)
Donald Trump has frequently directed personal attacks at Judge Juan Merchan (@realdonaldtrump/Truth Social)

Alina Habba predicts possible jury verdict

Habba also discussed how she believed the hush money trial jury would respond, just hours before they were scheduled to deliberate after appearing in open court with Judge Merchan.

The Trump attorney noted, "But that is what we're challenged with. We're dealing with people that are either going to believe a story – it was like sitting in make-believe land with the prosecution today – or you're going to listen to the facts," adding, "Honestly, if they do the right thing, considering we're in New York, I think we should get a hung jury," indicating that one or more jurors might prevent a unanimous conviction.

If the jury remains deadlocked at the end of deliberations, prosecutors would need to decide whether to retry the case.

Regarding the duration of jury deliberations, Habba estimated, "Maybe three days max, I hope so. But to me, it should be an acquittal."

Alina Habba, lawyer for former President Donald Trump, gives an interview outside of Trump Tower on March 21, 2023 in New York City. NYC and other cities are bracing for a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in his investigation into the former president's involvement in a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 presidential election.
Alina Habba feels jury deliberations would result in a hung jury (Getty Images)

Internet reacts to Alina Habba's remarks 

Soon after a clip of Habba's interview with Watters was shared on YouTube, viewers flocked to share their perspective. 

One shared, "What kind of lawyer says that her client 'should' get a hung jury? That is insane! Trump should get a directed verdict of acquittal. But that is wishing for a fair judge overseeing an unfair trial instead of an unfair judge overseeing an unfair trial."

Another highlighted, "It is malicious prosecution." "She's just a wannabe lawyer... She's also bad at being a spokesman," wrote a person," with one sharing, "Merchan needs to be jailed..not just disbarred."

Someone else slammed the judge saying, "This Judge should be barred from the Bench," while another echoed, "The Judge should be charged after this is over, Trump 2024 or before."

One more quipped, "MR Trump should get triple damages for his lawyers fees." "What a waste of time and money," simply said a netizen. 

An individual remarked, "Alina Habba's prediction of a hung jury almost guarantees a conviction. Has this dolt ever been right on anything?" 

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online. 

MORE STORIES

Gavin Newsom rejected the bipartisan bill, calling it too costly and warning it could disrupt how California determines firefighter pay
16 hours ago
The vote comes as California’s education agencies face a US Department of Justice lawsuit over alleged Title IX violations in girls’ sports
17 hours ago
Donald Trump took aim at Sen Richard Blumenthal after his tense face-off with Attorney General Pam Bondi during a congressional hearing
19 hours ago
Dick Durbin pressed Pam Bondi to justify sending troops to Illinois, accusing the Justice Department of hiding key information from the public
23 hours ago
The comedian dubbed Chuck Schumer 'Hack-ie Mason', and then went on a rant against Democratic leadership in general
1 day ago
Trump promised America’s men and women in uniform that their pay is safe despite the government shutdown
2 days ago
The stipend is part of measures taken by the Trump administration to reduce illegal immigrants in US
4 days ago
The directive followed Donald Trump’s August 2025 executive order instructing law enforcement and military to immediately arrest flag burners
4 days ago
Sen Roger Marshall introduced the Passport Sanity Act to end gender-neutral passports citing security and Trump-era precedent
6 days ago
JB Pritzker went after Trump after he suggested alleged crime-ridden cities like Chicago could serve as a training ground for National Guard troops
7 days ago