Donald Trump Calls Judge 'A Bad Person' For Not Delaying Trial For Melania's Mother's Funeral
By Favour Adegoke on January 14, 2024 at 10:00 PM EST
Former President Donald Trump has gone on a rant on Truth Social against New York judge Lewis A. Kaplan.
Trump called Kaplan "a bad person and a worse judge" for denying his last-minute request to delay his E. Jean Carroll trial to allow him to attend the funeral of his mother-in-law, Amalija Knavs.
The controversial trial comes as the business mogul prepares for his presidential campaign in Iowa ahead of the upcoming state Caucus this January.
Donald Trump Criticizes Judge For Denying His Request
Trump has done another of his lengthy social media rants, this time against a New York judge presiding over his civil trial against E. Jean Carroll. The trial is to determine the amount of damages he owes Carroll regarding their defamation case of 2019 and is meant to start on Tuesday.
On Friday, Judge Kaplan denied Trump's request for a one-week delay to the trial to allow him to attend the funeral of his mother-in-law.
The order read, "The Court offers its condolences to Mr and Mrs Trump and the rest of Ms. Knavs' family. The application is DENIED. The trial shall begin at 9:30 am on January 16, 2024, as scheduled. Mr Trump is free to attend the trial, the funeral, or all or parts of both, as he wishes."
After the order was announced, Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to blast Kaplan for the decision. In the abusive post, the former president called the judge a "bad person and a worse judge" and claimed that Kaplan suffered from "Trump derangement syndrome."
The Former President Claims The Trial Is A 'Witch Hunt'
In his rant, Trump claimed that he needed to attend the funeral to offer support to his wife, Melania, as she grieves her mother, per The Independent.
He emphasized this point in his post blasting Kaplan and his decision, saying the judge presided over a trial that's really a disguise for an "Election Interference Witch Hunt."
He further wrote that Kaplan "was asked if he could delay this Rigged Political Scam for one day so that I could attend the FUNERAL OF MY BELOVED MOTHER-IN-LAW WITH MY WIFE, THE FORMER (AND NEXT!) FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES — AND HE SAID NO."
Trump claimed that Kaplan was appointed by Clinton and that they deliberately "scheduled this HOAX right in the middle of the important New Hampshire Primary."
He also stated, "This is the second trial concerning the same person, who is represented and financed by POLITICAL OPERATIVES. It could have taken place at any time, including months ago. Can anyone imagine a husband not going to his wife's mother's funeral over a MADE UP STORY."
Donald Trump Paid Tribute To His Late Mother-In-Law
Knavs' family shared the news of her death on January 9, revealing that she'd passed at 78 years old after suffering from an undisclosed sickness.
Melania herself announced her mother's passing on X, formerly known as Twitter. She wrote, "It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija. Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity."
On Truth Social, her husband Trump posted a heartfelt tribute to Knavs, speaking about how much the family loved her.
His post read, "This is a very sad night for the entire Trump family!!! Melania's great and beautiful mother, Amalija, has just gone to a beautiful place in the sky. She was an incredible woman and will be missed far beyond words!"
Donald Trump Is Preparing For His Presidential Campaign
The trial and Knavs' death come as Trump gets ready for his presidential campaign in Iowa for the next U.S. presidential election.
Ahead of the upcoming state Caucus, the business mogul released a video to his supporters in the state. In it, Trump promised that he "wouldn't miss it for anything," regardless of the extreme weather conditions or other factors.
So far, various polls have shown that Trump holds a commanding lead in Iowa and America generally. This news is surprising as he's currently facing four indictments and awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court on whether to disqualify him from the ballot in Colorado.
According to CNN, Iowans have mixed opinions on Trump's current legal problems and whether he should be the next president. Some say they believe there is a "witch hunt" against the businessman, while some think it's time to move on and focus on more pressing issues.
