‘Absolute travesty’: Internet divided as Donald Trump claims hush money trial judge could force him to miss son Barron’s graduation

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."

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.

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.