Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, “The Jury Instructions given by HIGHLY CONFLICTED Judge, Juan Merchan, were UNFAIR, MISLEADING, INACCURATE, AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL. They were also VERY CONFUSING (Just what the Judge wanted!), BECAUSE THERE WAS NO CRIME!”
“Not only did this HIGHLY CONFLICTED, BIASED Judge, Juan Merchan, prevent me from presenting the fact that I did not take a Tax Deduction on the Legal Expense (which was marked, correctly, as a Legal Expense), the Judge also did not allow my lawyers to get Tax Records from the former attorney, whose name I am not allowed to mention due to the UnConstitutional Gag Order imposed upon me. ELECTION INTERFERENCE! WITCH HUNT!”
Former Biden Communications Director Kate Bedingfield pushed back against conservative commentator Scott Jennings, who praised former President Donald Trump’s appearance at the Libertarian National Convention despite Trump being loudly booed throughout his speech.
Jennings, along with other Republicans, celebrated Trump’s speech, viewing it as a confident move. On Sunday’s State of the Union with Dana Bash, Jennings remarked, “Trump going there this week — they are striking such a confident pose right now.” He elaborated:
“Trump goes to the Libertarians and tells them, ‘You want to keep getting your 3%, go ahead. Otherwise, come with me.’ He goes to the Bronx and says, ‘I’m better than Joe Biden. I’m trying to build a party that’s inclusive of you.’ I think all the places he’s going, they are striking this confident pose, and it’s a campaign unlike we’ve seen from other Republican candidates. I think it’s pretty confident, and they know they’re winning, and they’re trying to take advantage of that position.”
Bedingfield, however, saw the situation differently. She argued that sending a candidate into a hostile environment was not a sign of confidence but rather of concern. She pointed out that Trump cut his speech short and did not appear to be enjoying the experience.
“I know the spin from the Trump campaign has been, ‘We’re trying to go into non-traditional places and unite the country.’ But this, to me, I think, actually shows how concerned they are. They’re worried about RFK Jr. They see him taking enough of Trump support in polls that they felt they had to send their guy in to, essentially, get macheted at the Libertarian Conference because they’re worried about the support that RFK Jr. is getting.”
Bedingfield also noted that Trump’s appearance in the Bronx might have been influenced by his legal troubles in Manhattan, suggesting that his campaign moves were more tactical than strategic.
