Former President Donald Trump has launched a verbal attack against the daughter of the judge who will preside over his upcoming criminal trial in New York. Trump has accused Loren Merchan, the daughter of New York State Justice Juan Merchan, of being a "Rabid Trump Hater" and has claimed that she has discussed him with her father, who is set to oversee the case.
Trump's remarks come in response to a gag order imposed by Judge Merchan earlier this week, which prohibits Trump from attacking any potential witnesses, lawyers, court staff, or their families. The judge also dismissed a request from Trump's legal team to delay the trial.
Trump has also targeted Loren Merchan on social media, citing a social media account that he claimed was hers, featuring an image of Trump behind bars. However, the court has clarified that the account does not belong to Merchan.
This incident follows a series of events leading up to the trial. On March 25, Judge Merchan set the trial date for April 15, despite attempts by Trump's legal team to have the case dismissed. Subsequently, Merchan imposed a gag order on Trump, barring him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, or jurors. This order was granted after the Manhattan district attorney's office requested it earlier this year.