Donald Trump calls his hush money trial a 'witch hunt' set by Joe Biden to cause election interference

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Shortly before the first criminal trial of former president Donald Trump began on Monday, April 22 in Manhattan, New York, he lashed out at President Joe Biden.

He stated the trial was a "witch hunt" which should never have been allowed, calling it a "very sad day" in America.

Donald Trump accused Joe Biden of a 'witch hunt' 

Donald Trump addressed reporters before entering the Manhattan courtroom, where 12 New York jurors are set to seal his fate in about six weeks, in a case where he is accused of covering up damaging stories ahead of getting elected as president in 2016. 

It includes paying hush money to adult actress Stormy Daniels through a deal brokered by Trump ally and former CEO of American Media Inc (AMI), the publisher of the National Enquirer, David Pecker, to bury the story calling the 'catch and kill' about Trump having sex with her two weeks before the election.

Michael D Cohen was an executive vice president of the Trump Organization who is a key witness in the case along with Pecker, according to the prosecutors paid $130,000 to her on Trump's advice and later falsified the business records.

“What’s going on right here should never be happening. It’s a very, very sad day in America,” Trump told reporters according to The Guardian.

He also took a shot at Joe Biden calling his case "Biden trials," that "are done as election interference, everyone knows it—This is a witch hunt,”  Trump said.

David Pecker explains having 'the final say' on big celebrity stories on the witness stand

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass asked if David Pecker had the final say on "big stories" involving celebrities to which he replied "Yes I did," according to CNN. 

Pecker said he had "the final say on the celebrity side of the magazines," adding, "We used checkbook journalism," and described how the tabloids paid for stories.

He also testified editors could spend up to $10,000 to investigate and publish a story, but anything more than that would have to be vetted and approved by him.

Pecker also said he had a private email that he "didn't want his editor to see" apart from a general email for work.

Internet reacts over the first criminal trial of Donald Trump

The Internet is abuzz over Trump's trial and his remarks calling it a "witch hunt." 

"Trump was adjudicated by a grand jury of his peers. He is NOT above the law," wrote one on X.

One more wrote, "clearly true," agreeing with Trump's claim while another wrote, "And he's absolutely, 100 percent CORRECT."

"Do you notice he says the exact same thing before and every press conference. Expect a guilty verdict in 4 weeks!" remarked another individual.

"All I hear is poor me, poor me. No one is letting me get away with my crimes anymore," jibed an X user.

One more wrote, "The political persecution of Trump continues…"

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.