'This becomes a Rigged Election!' Trump demands judge lift gag order in hush money case

Former President Donald Trump's team sent out a rambling social media post demanding Judge Juan Merchan lift the gag order in his criminal trial.

Friday morning, Trump complained to the media that his trial would prevent him from spending the day with his wife for her birthday. Yet, when Trump returned from the lunch break, he entered the courthouse without a word to the press.

His campaign then issued the statement in a post on Truth Social, claiming Trump was barred from discussing the trial due to the gag order. The repeated claim has been fact-checked as false.

"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 (sic), a Candidate that is not allowed to answer questions," it continues.

The demand comes as Merchan considers possible gag order violations and what, if any, punishment should follow.

The 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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Still, in the Friday post, Trump's team claimed, "His Opponents have unlimited rights to question, but he has no right to respond."

It repeats Trump's own claim that Bragg's case is nothing more than a political witch hunt from President Joe Biden.

"We request that Judge Merchan immediately LIFT THE GAG ORDER (sic), 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 charges of falsifying business records to bury catch-and-kill payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election.