Internet rejects Trump's call for Judge Merchan to regain 'respect' by dismissing hush money case

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump implied that the judge overseeing his hush money trial could restore credibility by dismissing the criminal case against him.

After a dramatic day at trial in the Manhattan courtroom, where the prosecution rested their historic case on Monday, May 20, the soon-to-be formal GOP nominee reiterated his demand to drop the case. He stated that Judge Juan Merchan could regain his "respect" if he complied with the demand.

"This case should be dropped by the judge. I think the judge, if he did, that … could gain the respect back," Trump said, according to Fox News.

During the 19th day of the criminal trial, Michael Cohen, Trump's former fixer turned adversary, finished his testimony, while Robert Costello, a former attorney for Cohen, took the witness stand.

The defense witness, Costello, sparked further drama when Judge Merchan threatened to remove him entirely from the trial due to his behavior, which reportedly included muttering under his breath and eye-rolling, according to the Associated Press.

Trump remains adamant on demand to terminate hush-money case

Speaking to reporters in the courtroom hallway, Trump suggested that the appellate court should intervene because the Republican Party had nominated a candidate, and he had been enduring the trial for nearly five weeks, describing the courtroom as a "freezing cold icebox."

"I think the case is going very well. We've asked for the termination of the case. This case should be terminated. This shouldn't go anywhere. It should be terminated right now," the MAGA spearhead argued.

Trump also criticized the New York court system, reiterating his claim that he had done nothing wrong.

"New York State has to build up its system again. New York State can't let this happen. We can't let this happen. There were no crimes. We did nothing wrong. And I want to get back to campaigning. I'm representing millions and millions, hundreds of millions of people," he added.

At the beginning of the trial, the prosecution, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, argued the former president tried to influence the 2016 election by paying hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to suppress negative stories about him.

Trump faces 34 counts for falsifying business records to cover up the $130,000 payment to Daniels during the final days of his 2016 campaign to silence her about their one-time sexual encounter.

On Monday, Trump's defense attorney, Todd Blanche, requested a motion to dismiss the case, citing insufficient evidence to prove the business records or filings were false. In addition to proving that Trump falsified business records, the prosecution should establish that the 45th President did so as part of a conspiracy to influence an election.

Internet rejects Trump's proposal for judge to regain 'respect'

Netizens brutally dismissed Trump's offer for Judge Merchan to gain back his respect and pointed out the former president was the criminal defendant in the case.

One user stated, "Who cares what the defendant says? He’s scum.." Meanwhile, another wrote, "Trump is a criminal defendant. His words mean nothing."

A user asked, "Cool, We just going to ignore the fact Trump lied again and said he was going to testify then didn't? [sic]

"It's no longer a witch hunt when your sitting at the defendants table," a response read. Another person opined, "Trump is about to learn all about RESPECT."

Someone else claimed, "Marchan has a kind of respect that the Old Orange Thug will NEVER have."

"No one wants Trump's respect We just want him to go to Prison And serve his time for the Crimes he has done," an individual chimed in.

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.