Former President Donald Trump's team demanded his criminal hush money trial judge lift the gag order against him in a rambling social media post sent out Friday.
Earlier in the day, Trump complained to the media that his trial would prevent him from spending the day with his wife for her birthday, but when Trump reentered the courthouse Friday afternoon, it was without a word to the press.
His campaign posted on Truth Social that Trump was barred from discussing the trial — a repeated claim recently fact-checked as false — because of Judge Juan Merchan's order.
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"He is being inundated by the Media with questions because of this Rigged Biden Trial, which President Trump is not allowed to comment on, or answer, because of Judge Juan Merchan’s UNPRECEDENTED AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL Gag Order," the statement reads.
"There has never been a situation like this in our Country’s History, a Candidate that is not allowed to answer questions."
This questionable demand comes as Merchan considers possible gag order violations and what, if any, punishment should follow.
The gag order prevents Trump from attacking witnesses, jurors and others involved in the case, but allows him to discuss Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
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But, on Friday, Trump's team claimed, "His Opponents have unlimited rights to question, but he has no right to respond."
The post repeats Trump's own repeated claim that Bragg's case — in which Trump stands accused of falsifying business records to bury catch-and-kill payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election — represents a political witch hunt.
"We request that Judge Merchan immediately LIFT THE GAG ORDER, so that President Trump is able to freely state his views, feelings, and policies," the post reads. "He is asking for his Constitutional Right to Free Speech. If it is not granted, this again becomes a Rigged Election!"
Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
