'He needs a nap': Internet divided as Donald Trump condemns Judge Merchan and gag order

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Donald Trump pressed the judge presiding over his criminal "hush money" case to "Take off the Gag Order!!!" and declared that he ought to be on the campaign trail rather than in court, according to the New York Post.

One hour prior to his court appearance, Trump took to Truth Social to condemn Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan, branding him as a "Trump Hating Judge" who allegedly restricts his ability to counter individuals on television spreading falsehoods and fostering animosity throughout the day.

Trump slams Judge Merchan in Truth Social post

Trump posted on Truth Social, "This conflicted, Trump Hating Judge won’t let me respond to people that are on TV lying and spewing hate all day long. He is running rough shod over my lawyers and legal team."

He added, "The New York System of 'Justice' is being decimated by critics from all over the World. I want to speak, or at least be able to respond. Election Interference! RIGGED, UNCONSTITUTIONAL TRIAL! Take off the Gag Order!!!"

Trump's remarks alluded to Merchan's prior order, which instructed him to refrain from discussing witnesses, court personnel, Merchan's family, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office is spearheading the prosecution, ahead of the trial.

On Tuesday, April 16, Trump appeared in court for the second day of the jury selection process in the case where he is accused of fabricating financial records to hide a $130,000 payment he made to the former porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

The payment was intended to silence her amidst her claims of an affair with him.

Trump notably delivered a nearly two-minute rant to media cameras before entering the courtroom, expressing his belief that he should be on the campaign trail rather than in court.

He said, "I should be, right now, in Pennsylvania and Florida. In many other states, North Carolina, and Georgia, campaigning. This is all coming from the Biden White House because the guy can’t put two sentences together."

Moreover, Trump addressed a major accusation made by the DA's case that he concealed the payment by manipulating business records.

This took place when he reimbursed his former attorney and "fixer," Michael Cohen, for the funds provided to Daniels, categorizing it as a legal expense.

Trump said, "I was paying a lawyer and marked it down ‘legal expense.' An accountant I didn’t know marked it down as a legal expense. That’s exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?"

Internet stays divided as Trump slams Judge Merchan and rips gag order

People on the internet had mixed reactions and stayed divided as Trump pressed the judge presiding over his criminal "hush money" case to "Take off the Gag Order!!!"

A user wrote on social media platform X, "Poor boy. He needs a nap," while one added, "People need to hear Trump, why are they so afraid? Why are they denying his right to free speech?"

A person also mentioned, "Justice does not exist in NYC. Instead of prosecuting actual criminals NYC is politically targeting Trump," whereas one stated, "Trump doesn’t need to speak. There aren’t any people undecided anymore."

A user also wrote, "New York is a lost cause! Tyranny lives in NYC now. If we don’t stop what’s coming it’s going to be everywhere soon!" while one mentioned, "Trump is about to learn that the fascists hold the power in this country and he doesn't."

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.