Donald Trump falsely claim that “thousands” of his supporters were blocked by police from showing their support and protesting on his behalf outside the Manhattan courthouse where his criminal hush money trial is underway.
“Thousands of people were turned away from the Courthouse in Lower Manhattan by steel stanchions and police, literally blocks from the tiny side door from where I enter and leave. It is an armed camp to keep people away,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
Trump had repeated this claim earlier on Tuesday before heading into court and it was easily debunked by a NBC News reporter who posted video from outside the courthouse showing traffic moving freely and just a single supporter of the former president standing outside.
In his Truth Social post Trump also took aim at New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman who reported that the former president fell asleep in court and his disappointment over the lack of his supporters showing up to protest his trial.
“Maggot Hagerman of The Failing New York Times, falsely reported that I was disappointed with the crowds,” Trump wrote. “No, I’m disappointed with Maggot, and her lack of writing skill, and that some of these many police aren’t being sent to Columbia and NYU to keep the schools open and the students safe.”
Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records tied to hush money paid to adult-film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign to cover-up his alleged extramarital affair.
Trump has denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
