It didn’t take long for Donald Trump’s press conference after his felony convictions to go off the rails.
Trump launched into a free-wheeling speech on Friday, insulting President Joe Biden and spreading conspiracy theories about terrorists crossing the US border.
But most notably, Trump ranted against key prosecution witness and his former lawyer Michael Cohen, risking another violation of the judge’s orders in his hush-money case.
In a meandering press conference at Trump Tower on Friday, the former president railed against the “rigged trial” that ended with him convicted on 34 felony counts.
He also slammed “sleazebag” Michael Cohen, whose testimony helped seal his fate.
“This was a highly qualified lawyer, now I’m not allowed to use his name because of the gag order, but you know, he’s a sleazebag,” Trump told reporters, referring to Cohen without mentioning him by name. “Everybody knows that. Took me a while to find out.”
Trump then accused Cohen of throwing him under the bus in a plea deal so Cohen could “get off” himself.
Trump also attacked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, falsely accusing Bragg of believing that Cohen would be a dishonest witness and taking the case anyway.
“When Bragg came in, he said, ‘This is the most ridiculous case I’ve ever seen,’ ” Trump said, impersonating Bragg.
Trump may be referring to a comment Bragg once made about not wanting to bring a larger financial crimes case against Trump until it was “ready,” NBC New York reported.
“And who would have a certain person — again, gag order — who would have a certain person like this ever testify?” Trump continued, in an apparent reference to Cohen. “[Bragg] said, ‘This is essentially one of the worst people I’ve ever seen, ever, to testify.’ “
There’s no reporting that Bragg ever said that. But now that Trump has, he could be in trouble yet again.
Trump’s attacks on Cohen could amount to another violation of his gag order, which Judge Juan Merchan hasn’t lifted yet.
Trump has violated the order — which prohibits him from disparaging witnesses, jurors, and others involved in the case — 10 times since the trial began, racking up a $1,000 fine each time.
Merchan threatened earlier this month to consider jail time for Trump if he violates the order again.
It’s not clear how long the gag order will last, but a legal expert told Forbes the judge would likely be hesitant to lift it anytime soon while Trump vows to appeal the case.
On Thursday, the jury in the hush-money trial convicted Trump on all felony charges that he faked business records to cover up a hush-money payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep her from taking allegations of an affair to the press before the 2016 election.
The conviction was historic: no former president has ever been convicted of a crime.
While the impact of the convictions on the 2024 race isn’t clear, it won’t stop Trump from running. Convicted felons and even people serving time in prison can run for president.
During his Friday press conference, Trump — the presumptive GOP nominee — bragged about a recent poll that showed him with a lead over Biden if the election were held now.
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