Donald Trump vowed on Saturday that he would “gladly” go to jail to defend his free speech rights, but he appeared to stop short of breaching a New York judge’s red line.
Trump is subject to a limited gag order in the so-called New York hush money criminal case, which prohibits him from speaking out about anyone engaged in the case, including witnesses, jurors, and prosecutors other than the judge.
The missives were nasty and personal, directed at presiding Judge Juan Merchan, Judge Arthur Engoron of the civil fraud case against Trump and his firm, and federal Judge Lewis Kaplan of the civil defamation action against Trump, but did not target witnesses or other court personnel.
“If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the “clink” for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela — It will be my GREAT HONOR,” Trump said in the post.
Biden-Harris 2024 Jasmine Harris, Director of Black Media, slammed Trump’s comparison to the iconic South African civil rights champion on Saturday afternoon.
“Imagine being so self-centered that you compare yourself to Jesus Christ and Nelson Mandela all within the span of little more than a week: that’s Donald Trump for you,” Harris remarked in an e-mail.
Trump’s comments came before the fundraiser.
The posts came only a few hours before a Saturday night fundraiser in Palm Beach at the home of hedge fund expert John Paulson, where the Trump campaign anticipated to earn about $50 million.
The former president has long trailed President Joe Biden in fundraising as both men seek re-election to the White House.
According to an invitation acquired by USA TODAY, participants include super-wealthy figures such as Palm Beach County sugar billionaire Jose “Pepe” Fanjul and Palm Beach resident and former Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.
According to the Washington Post, the invitation costs $250,000 with a maximum contribution of $814,600, which guarantees a spot at Trump’s table.
Biden-Harris 2024 releases first-quarter earnings
On Saturday, President Joe Biden’s campaign said that it has raised more than $187 million in the first quarter of 2024, including more than $90 million last month alone.
“This historic fundraising operation continues to break monthly grassroots fundraising records through the first three months of 2024 — an indication of enthusiasm, strength, and Team Biden-Harris’ historic resources heading into the general election,” the Biden-Harris campaign stated in a statement. “This first quarter raise is nearly double the unprecedented 2023 fourth-quarter haul of $97 million.”
It went on to say: “While Trump cozies up to billionaires tonight to raise his money, Team Biden-Harris’ first-quarter haul was driven by the strength of our grassroots support, which continues to grow month over month.”