Former President Donald Trump has been making headlines recently, not just for his political endeavors, but for his courtroom appearances and subsequent remarks. Trump, who is currently embroiled in a fraud trial brought forth by New York Attorney General Letitia James, has been vocal about his displeasure with the proceedings.
The trial, overseen by Judge Arthur Engoron, saw Trump in attendance for two consecutive days. During his time outside the courtroom, the former President did not miss an opportunity to express his frustrations to the media. "Unfortunately, I have to be here, I'm not campaigning! I have to be here for this," Trump lamented during one of the breaks. He even went on to claim that he'd achieved a Perry Mason-style victory in court.
However, as the day progressed, Trump's narrative took a turn. After spending hours complaining about being "forced" to attend the trial, he hinted at possibly skipping court the next day. And the reason? Not to return to the campaign trail, but to attend a "very big tournament, professional golf tournament at Doral," as he informed a reporter.
This revelation was met with a mix of amusement and criticism on social media platforms. Users on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, were quick to point out the contradiction in Trump's statements. One user humorously remarked, "Look, Why would I go to court to potentially avoid serious criminal charges that could topple my entire business empire when instead I could go to a golf tournament?" Another quipped about Trump's priorities, suggesting that golfing at his own course was more important than attending court or campaigning for the presidency.
The sarcasm didn't end there. A third user, taking a jibe at the former President, commented, "My Saudi benefactors expect me to be there. Golf Matters. And I get to charge top $ for renting to my Secret Service agents at Doral."
In a related development, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is set to preside over Trump’s trial for conspiring to overturn the 2020 U.S. election, recently imposed a partial gag order on Trump. The order, issued on October 16, restricts Trump from publicly attacking prosecutors, court staff, or potential witnesses. The trial is scheduled to commence in Washington D.C., in March 2024.
While the courtroom drama continues to unfold, one thing is clear: Trump's actions and statements, both inside and outside the courtroom, will remain under intense scrutiny.