Donald Trump lost it after Manhattan federal judge Lewis Kaplan refused to push back his trial a week in order for him to be present at Melania's late mother's funeral on Thursday, January 18.
"My wife's mother, who was incredible and a great beauty inside and out – incredible woman – she just died," Trump told the Indianola crowd on Sunday, January 14. "And my wife was pretty devastated by that. I have a trial going on, a totally fake trial. And we asked the judge if I could take a day off for a funeral for my mother-in-law, who was very close to me also. And he said, 'No.' These are animals. Can you imagine that?"
He continued: "These are bad people, these are radical left lunatics that want to hurt me, because they think it's gonna hurt me at the polls so that [Joe] Biden can win the election. I don't think the people are going to fall for it. I'd like to support my wife who is going to be standing at a funeral of her mother, who is a very special woman. Is she supposed to stand there alone? No, no, I'll be there. One way or the other, I'll be there. But what a disgrace that a judge would not say, 'Yes, we can take a day off.'"
Trump then fumed about all the legal battles he's faced and claimed it's because he's a frontrunner ahead of the 2024 election.
"You know, all of these indictments they could have been done three years ago. They saved them all for the election – every one of them," he exclaimed. "I got one during Iowa. I got one during New Hampshire – the day before New Hampshire."
As OK! previously reported, Melania revealed the sad news about her family member on social media on January 9.
"It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija," the former first lady, 53, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity. She was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law. We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy."
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When Melania was nowhere to be found at Trump's New Year's Eve party, he clarified her whereabouts to the crowd.
"Melania — great first lady, so popular, the people love her — she's now in a hospital with her mother. Her mother, Amalija, is very ill, but hopefully she'll be recovering," he stated.
