The judge presiding over the NY v. Trump trial in Manhattan granted former President Trump permission to attend his son’s high school graduation in Florida next month. Trump pushed for weeks to attend the graduation on May 17, but the decision was left in limbo until Tuesday. It is unclear if trial proceedings will pause on that day or if Trump will simply be absent from the courtroom. Barron Trump attends a private high school near Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in south Florida. Trump, facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, is currently on day nine of the trial in Manhattan, with three witnesses having testified by late Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, Judge Merchan fined Trump $9,000 for violating a gag order that prohibits him from publicly discussing witnesses and court officials’ family members. The judge warned that continued violations could result in “incarceratory punishment” if necessary. Trump, in remarks before court on Tuesday, called on Merchan to recuse himself, labeling the case a “hoax” overseen by a “badly conflicted judge.” Trump also criticized the judge on Truth Social last month, accusing Merchan of Trump Derangement Syndrome due to his daughter’s work as a political consultant for Democratic politicians.
Trump had expressed his desire to attend Barron’s graduation with both his mother and father present, but he previously speculated that he would be denied permission to leave Manhattan for the event. The former president called the trial a “scam” in earlier statements and has faced fines for violating the gag order multiple times. Despite his assertions that the trial is biased against him, Trump’s poll numbers have reportedly risen, which he attributes to getting the word out about what he believes is an unfair legal proceeding.
The trial is ongoing, with several key witnesses having already testified. The case against Trump alleges that he falsified business records, with the former president facing numerous felony charges. Trump has continually petitioned for the judge overseeing the trial to recuse himself, suggesting a conflict of interest due to the judge’s daughter’s political consulting work. Despite the challenges and fines he has faced throughout the trial, Trump remains steadfast in his belief that the proceedings are unjust and orchestrated to harm him politically.
With the May 17 graduation date fast approaching, the decision to allow Trump to attend the event in Florida could impact the trial proceedings. It remains to be seen how the court will handle his absence on that day and if it will have any implications for the ongoing trial. Trump’s request to attend his son’s graduation highlights the personal challenges he faces as a public figure navigating legal troubles while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy and family involvement in important life events. As the trial continues, the outcome remains uncertain, but Trump’s determination to fight the allegations against him appears unwavering.
