Judge Juan Merchan's ruling banning Donald Trump from attending Supreme Court arguments next week in his presidential immunity case spurred sputters of outrage from the former president and laughter online.
Trump told the media who gathered outside his hush money trial in Manhattan Monday that he was furious over Merchan's decision, which legal experts note is a common interpretation of criminal law.
"Looks like the judge is not going to allow me to escape this scam," he told reporters.
Trump's stands accused of 34 criminal counts of falsifying business records to cover up payments Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg contends he made to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
On Monday, Merchan denied Trump's demand to skip court to attend the presidential immunity arguments at the heart of his Washington D.C. election interference case, but said he'd consider a similar request that would allow him to attend his son Barron's high school.
ALSO READ: Revealed: What government officials privately shared about Trump not disclosing finances
The fallout almost immediately drew shade online.
"Criminal trials are a whole different ball of wax from civil trials," wrote Andy Cohen. "Trump is learning,"
"Your honor, can I skip court this day?" @justcuuper quipped. "I have court to go to.”
"For the first time in his miserable life he can't manipulate the court system," replied @votebluein24.
@MarTheResister also hit back at Trump's alleged claims he's immune from all prosecution.
"I wish Judge Merchan would have concluded his response as follows: 'Newsflash: No one is a King & no one is above the law.'"
ALSO READ: A criminologist explains why keeping Trump from the White House is all that matters
"Trump never even went to the original hearing back in January," wrote @anthonyr522. "he was at Mar-A-Lardo, instead. Now he wants to go because he's in court now? Gimme a break!"
Recommended Links:
- Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is delayed by just 20 days: report
- 'Scared' Trump has 'something deep to lose' at hush money trial: ex-president's biographer
- Judge gives last-minute denial to Trump's demand to stop hush money trial
- 'There will be an arrest': Trump gets stark warning from hush money judge
- 'I'm testifying': Trump suggests he'll take the stand in criminal hush money trial