Donald Trump’s recent comments on his Truth Social platform have attracted attention and potentially tested the limits of a gag order imposed on him ahead of his upcoming trial.
Trump’s post questioned whether his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, faced prosecution for lying, implying selective justice.
Cohen is expected to be a key witness in the trial, starting with jury selection on Monday, which marks the first criminal trial involving a former U.S. president.
The trial focuses on allegations that Trump falsified business records to hide a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, purportedly to silence her about an alleged affair.
Cohen, who has implicated Trump in the payment, previously pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations related to it and later admitted to lying to Congress about a Moscow real estate project.
Michael Cohen’s role as key witness intensifies (Via Disha Angra/Getty Images)
In March, Judge Juan Merchan imposed a gag order on Trump at the prosecutors’ request, barring him from discussing witnesses’ roles in the case.
The order was expanded in April to include Trump’s family and members of the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. However, Trump’s recent statements on Truth Social criticized Merchan and Cohen, raising concerns about compliance with the gag order.
Trump’s ongoing social media remarks, labeling Cohen and Daniels as “sleaze bags,” suggest a disregard for legal restrictions and contribute to perceptions of political persecution.
Trump’s characterization of the judge and district attorney complicates an already contentious legal battle.
