Donald Trump posted the following:
Trump: “[Biden] lies about everything, including his golf game.”
Projection is a powerful force.pic.twitter.com/17PC1l17CJ
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 10, 2024
Fox News contributor and former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer suggested that former President Donald Trump should go after the judge’s daughter during his criminal trial, despite the risk of violating a gag order. Trump, facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records linked to alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, has had restrictions placed on his public commentary during the trial.
Judge Juan Merchan imposed a gag order prohibiting Trump from discussing witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court staff, and their relatives. This followed a social media post by Trump that attacked Merchan’s daughter, leading the judge to extend the gag order to include his family. Trump has already been fined multiple times for violating the gag order, with the judge warning that continued breaches could lead to stricter consequences, including incarceration.
During a discussion on Fox News’ Outnumbered, Fleischer argued that Trump should elaborate on his accusations against the judge, specifically by highlighting that the judge’s daughter works for a Democratic political consulting firm. However, several panelists, including Dagen McDowell, cautioned that mentioning the judge’s family might breach the gag order.
Fleischer’s recommendation raised questions about whether it could exacerbate Trump’s legal issues and lead to harsher penalties. Other panelists noted that Trump’s surrogates are not bound by the gag order, indicating that they could make such arguments without direct repercussions. Despite Fleischer’s assertions, his advice seemed risky, given that Judge Merchan had already issued fines for previous gag order violations.
