Internet extols Donald Trump after he responds to Judge Juan Merchan who cowed him with jail time

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Judge Juan Merchan's potential jail threat to Donald Trump is not going to stop the former president from voicing his "free speech" anytime soon.

The 77-year-old, who is at the center of media attention for his ongoing hush money trial in New York, took to social media on Wednesday, May 8, where he claimed that keeping and expressing his constitutional rights were of significant importance to him despite any penalty he could face amid a gag order imposed by the New York judge.

Donald Trump's Truth Social post

"Give me liberty or give me death," he wrote in an all-caps message on TRUTH Social, quoting the American Founding Father Patrick Henry, Fox News reports. 

"It is a really bad feeling to have your Constitutional Right to Free Speech, such a big part of life in our Country, so unfairly taken from you, especially when all of the sleazebags, lowlifes, and grifters that you oppose are allowed to say absolutely anything that they want," Trump’s post continued. 

"It is hard to sit back and listen to lies and false statements be made against you knowing that if you respond, even in the most modest fashion, you are told by a Corrupt and Highly Conflicted Judge that you will be put in prison, maybe for a long period of time," he added. 

Judge Juan Merchan said that he will consider jail time for Donald Trump

Trump's comments come after Judge Juan Merchan said on Monday, May 6, that he would consider jail time for Trump if he continued to violate a gag order imposed upon him in his ongoing criminal trial.

Merchan imposed a gag order on Trump before his criminal trial in New York began, ordering the presumptive Republican presidential nominee not to make or direct others to make public statements about witnesses, counsel in the case or about court staff, the DA staff or family members of staff.

Donald Trump also took a jab at Joe Biden in his explosive post

In the Wednesday, May 8, post, Trump added, "This Fascist mindset is all coming from D.C. It is a sophisticated hit job on Crooked Joe Biden’s Political Opponent, ME!" The post also included a swipe at Judges Engoron and Kaplan, also of New York. He called them "equally corrupt, only in different ways."

"What these thugs are doing is an attack on the Republican Party, and our once great nation itself. Our First Amendment must stand, free and strong," the former president concluded.

Donald Trump said he would go to jail to defend free speech

On Monday, May 6, Trump said he'd make the "sacrifice" of going to jail to defend free speech. "Our Constitution is much more important than jail. It's not even close. I'll do that sacrifice any day," the former president said outside the courtroom on Monday afternoon, May 6.

'The View' co-host Sunny Hostin suggested Judge Juan Merchan should throw Donald Trump in prison

On Tuesday, May 7, 'The View' co-host Sunny Hostin suggested Judge Merchan should throw Trump in prison to "prove a point." "I don't want this to sound like I'm doing wishful thinking, but which prison would be best?" co-host Whoopi Goldberg added, mentioning he could go to Alcatraz or Guantanamo Bay.

Co-host Ana Navarro joked that former First Lady Melania Trump could visit her husband if he were sent to Guantanamo. 

Patrick Henry's great speech on the rights in 1775

In 1775, as colonists were advocating for American independence from the British empire, Patrick Henry addressed a worried Virginia Assembly.

"Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!" Henry said in his remarks. "The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" he added.

Internet reacts to Donald Trump's 'liberty' post

Internet users also supported Donald Trump after his latest Truth Social post. One X user wrote, "Corrupt Judge, corrupt DA, Corrupt AG, and corrupt jury. Trump can't get a fair trial in NYC and everyone knows it." Another penned, "GREATEST PRESIDENT EVER!" 

"His reward will be on Inauguration Day. He’ll be sworn in as the 47th President despite all their efforts to prevent it" said one user and another tweeted, "Hopefully, he inspires our men to stop sitting around complaining and stand up for our country." "Wow. That hits differently. We NEED our country back," added one. 

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.