Internet split as Donald Trump says hush money trial judge could make him miss son Barron’s graduation

‘Absolute travesty’: Internet divided as Donald Trump claims hush money trial judge could force him to miss son Barron’s graduation
Donald Trump's hush money trial presided over by Judge Juan Merchan may prevent him from attending son Barron's high school graduation (Getty Images, Juan Merchan/LinkedIn)

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump claimed the judge overseeing his New York hush money trial may force him to skip his youngest son Barron Trump's high school graduation, which would occur amid the court procedures, the New York Post reported.

"I was looking forward to that graduation with his mother and father there, and it looks like the judge does not allow me to escape this scam," the GOP presumptive nominee said to reporters after the first day of the historic hush money trial at the Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday, April 15.

Trump became the first former president in the history of the United States to go for a criminal trial.

Donald Trump wants to attend his son's graduation

Trump's attorney requested Justice Juan Merchan not to schedule a trial on Friday, May 17, and allow the former president to attend Barron's graduation at Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida.

However, the judge refused to bind and said, "It really depends on if we are on time and where we are in the trial."

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: U.S. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and their son Barron Trump, arrive on the South Lawn of the White House, on March 10, 2019 in Washington, DC. Trump spent the weekend at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Bech, Fla. (Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)
Donald Trump wishes to attend his son Barron Trump's graduation in May with Melania Trump (Al Drago/Getty Images)

Furthermore, the defendant's attorney asked Merchan to permit Trump to attend his presidential immunity hearing at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on April 25. The judge denied the request, stating the hush money trial was "also a big deal".

The back and forth between the ex-president's attorney and the judge came as the court failed to select an impartial jury from the around 96 prospects who went in the first pool.



 

The hush money trial, being a criminal trial, the former commander-in-chief is required to be present everyday when the court is in session.

Former President Trump is facing 34 felony counts for allegedly falsifying business records shortly before the 2016 election, which he won, to cover up a $130,000 payment to silence adult film actress Stormy Daniels about his extra-marital affair with her. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 11: Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom during his civil fraud trial at New York Supreme Court on January 11, 2024 in New York City. Trump won't make his own closing arguments after his lawyers objected to Judge Arthur Engoron insistence that Trump stay within the bounds of
Donald Trump is the first former president of the US to have a criminal trial (Seth Wenig-Pool/Getty Images)

The hush money case, the first of his four indictments to go to trial, is expected to last around eight weeks.

Internet gives mixed reactions to Trump's claim about hush money trial judge

The White House hopeful's claim that the judge possibly would not allow him to attend his son's graduation led to an online debate where one group backed the defendant. At the same time, the others cheered for treating billionare Trump as an ordinary citizen.

One user wrote, "Absolute travesty. I think Trump should go the the graduation ceremony anyway. Let it play out in the media."

Whereas another remarked, "Cool! I love it when the rich & powerful are held to the same standard as every one else. It increases my faith in our justice system. Way to go, Judge Merchan!"



 



 

"Just go. Every parent in America would cheer him on," a third user added.

While a fourth response read, "Maybe he shouldn’t commit crimes. Plenty of criminals can’t see their kids graduation."



 



 

Someone else wrote, "Terrible. Those are memories you can’t get back."

On the other hand, an individual argued, "What high school graduation in the middle of April? Any defendant whose trail has started, they must attend every day of the trial. Why should Trump be treated differently?"



 



 

"Trump is exactly right. This Juan merchan thinks his court is more superior than the Supreme Court. What a joke," one chimed in.

While another said, "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime."



 



 

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.

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