Former President Donald Trump continues to make false claims about his New York trial, frequently speaking to media cameras before and after exiting the Manhattan courtroom where he is facing charges of falsifying business records. In his comments, he has made inaccurate assertions about various subjects, with a focus on the trial itself. A fact check revealed several false claims and one misleading claim that Trump made about the trial during his courthouse comments last week.
One false claim that Trump made after leaving the courtroom was that he is not allowed to testify in his own defense. However, he later acknowledged that he is indeed allowed to testify and that the decision is entirely up to him. The judge’s gag order does not prevent him from speaking publicly or testifying at the trial. The gag order only forbids him from speaking about specific categories, such as witnesses, prosecutors, and jurors, to prevent interference with the case. Trump has misrepresented the extent of the gag order, suggesting it is broader than it actually is.
Trump has also complained about bail requirements, falsely claiming that New York City is a violent city and that he is the only one who had to put up bail. In reality, he was released on his own recognizance after his arraignment, without having to post any cash. Trump’s claim of being uniquely treated harshly in New York is unfounded, as he was released on his own recognizance in his federal criminal cases as well. The impact of New York state bail reforms on the city’s recent crime levels is also disputed.
Trump has also claimed that the trial is preventing him from campaigning, but this claim is false as the trial is not held on weekends or Wednesdays. He was free to campaign wherever he wanted on those days. He has regularly opted to host dinners and meetings at his Trump Tower or play golf on his free days, rather than hold public events in swing states. Furthermore, Trump’s complaint about being unable to invoke the advice of counsel defense during the trial is misleading, as his legal team had previously told the judge that they would not be using that defense strategy.
Lastly, Trump has repeatedly asserted that President Joe Biden is behind the case against him. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, as the prosecution is being led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, an independently elected official. The indictment in the case was approved by a grand jury, and there is no indication that Biden had any involvement in launching or running the case. Despite Trump’s claims, there is no basis for his assertion that this is a “Biden trial.”
