Trump Blasts Supreme Court and Judge After Ruling Clears Path for Sentencing
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President-elect Donald Trump unleashed a fiery response on Truth Social Thursday evening after the Supreme Court declined to delay his sentencing in the Manhattan hush-money case. Trump, who will return to office as a convicted felon following his Friday sentencing, expressed both gratitude to the Court and fury at New York Judge Juan Merchan, whom he accused of bias and corruption.
“I appreciate the time and effort of the United States Supreme Court in trying to remedy the great injustice done to me by the highly conflicted ‘Acting Justice,’ who should not have been allowed to try this case,” Trump wrote. “Every Legal Scholar stated, unequivocally, that this is a case that should never have been brought. There was no case against me.”
The Supreme Court’s refusal was part of a double legal blow for Trump on Thursday. In addition to clearing the way for his sentencing, an appeals court denied his request to block the release of special counsel Jack Smith’s report.
Despite his thanks to the Supreme Court justices for considering his case, Trump’s anger was directed squarely at Judge Merchan, who oversaw the hush-money trial and imposed a gag order restricting Trump from publicly commenting on certain aspects of the case.
Trump called Merchan “highly political and corrupt,” accusing him of fabricating charges and infringing on Trump’s right to free speech. “I am innocent of all of the Judge’s made-up, fake charges,” Trump claimed. “It’s called Lawfare, and nothing like this has ever happened in the United States of America, and it should never be allowed to happen again.”
Trump vowed to appeal, stating, “For the sake and sanctity of the Presidency, I will be appealing this case and am confident that JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL.” He concluded his post by lambasting the broader legal challenges against him. “The pathetic, dying remnants of the Witch Hunts against me will not distract us as we unite and, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The Manhattan case, stemming from alleged hush-money payments during Trump’s first presidential campaign, has placed unprecedented legal and political scrutiny on the president-elect. Despite the rulings, Trump remains defiant, framing the cases as politically motivated attacks aimed at undermining his presidency.
