'Get me off this planet': Trump's 'Shakespeare in Love' quip spurs an epic cringe

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 15: Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the press as attorney Todd Blanche (R) looks on upon arrival for the first day of his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024 in New York City. Former President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Angela Weiss - Pool/Getty Images)

A former President Donald Trump left court Monday after a defense witness was admonished in court for poor behavior to deliver an odd speech to reporters that was almost immediately mocked.

Trump stood in a Manhattan criminal court hallway and read from a legal pad and quoting people who came out in support of him, including a comment from Gregg Jarrett who asked "Where exactly is the crime?"

The former president then referenced a 1998 romantic comedy about a fictional production of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

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"To quote a memorable line from 'Shakespeare in Love'," Trump said, "'I don't know. It's a mystery.'"

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The quote is the catchphrase of the Rose theater owner Philip Henslowe, played by Geoffrey Rush, who claims, whenever faced with a potential crisis, that everything will turn out well.

Trump's romantic comedy reference quickly sent the internet into howls of laughter.

"Trump walks out & calls the judge a 'tyrant,' throws a scrap of paper on the floor, then quotes 'Shakespeare in Love.' Just another day in America," X user Thomas replied.

"I saw 'Trump also cited Shakespeare' and then fainted before I had [a] chance to read the 'in Love during his remarks' part," posted Nathan Jay on X.

Others came up with their own Shakespeare lines that would be perfect for Trump.

Trump said he’s quoting Shakespeare In Love… how deep," quipped Ray on X.

X user Michelle Anne remarked Trump was "slurring words, and reading off a legal pad. God helps us!" in her remarks.

Carol Dahmen-Eckery exclaimed, "Trump just using a quote from Shakespeare In Love to describe how he thinks there is no crime is next level matrix. Get me off this planet."

"Given Shakespeare's position on tyranny, it makes sense that he wouldn't be able to find any quotes that apply to his sitch without going to Shakespeare in Love. There is literally a whole book called 'Tyrant: Shakespeare on Politics,' another titled 'Shakespeare and Trump,'" posted an account that goes by "Random Facts Girl."

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