Donald Trump Jr. calls Judge Merchan “pure evil”

Donald Trump Jr. has called Judge Juan Merchan “pure evil” after reports circulated that Donald Trump may miss out on his youngest son’s graduation because of the Stormy Daniels hush money trial.

Barron Trump, 18, is the only child from Melania Trump’s marriage to the former president. Following the end of his father’s presidential term in 2021, Barron Trump transferred to the Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is due to graduate with the class of 2024 on May 17.

His father, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, might only be able to attend if the trial is running on schedule.

On Monday, his eldest son Donald Trump Jr. retweeted a post on X (formerly Twitter) with 1.9 million views from Jack Posobiec—a former Navy intelligence officer and a political activist—that read: “BREAKING: JUDGE MERCHAN SAYS TRUMP WILL BE ARRESTED IF HE MISSES ANY DAY OF THE TRIAL, EVEN FOR BARRON’S GRADUATION.”

Donald Trump Jr. added: “Pure evil.” At the time of writing his post had been viewed 1.2 million times.

Newsweek emailed Trump’s spokesperson for comment Tuesday outside of normal business hours.

Merchan has not yet ruled whether Donald Trump can be excused from court to attend Barron Trump’s graduation, saying that it was too early to decide.

On Monday, as the trial began with jury selection, Merchan said he had received requests from Donald Trump’s attorneys for the former president to miss the trial on May 17 so he could attend his son’s ceremony.

But, according to a tweet from Inner City Press on X, Merchan explained he could not rule at this time as it would depend on whether the trial was running on schedule. Jury selection in the trial is expected to last up to two weeks.

Several social media users took to Donald Trump Jr.’s viral post to share their frustration, including Tristan Tate, the brother of influencer Andrew Tate. In March, the two brothers were detained by authorities in Romania over a U.K. arrest warrant for alleged crimes of “sexual aggression” between 2012 and 2015, according to a statement from Tate’s representatives. The brothers, who were released while a separate case in Romania takes place, have denied all allegations.

“I was falsely imprisoned during the birth of my youngest child. They don’t care,” Tate wrote, to which Donald Trump Jr. responded: “They couldn’t care less buddy, but at least they’re showing the world.”

“No matter how much you hate, loathe and detest this judge and the New York legal system, it’s not nearly enough,” said one social media user.

Another added: “ELECTION INTERFERENCE.”

“Judge Merchan is just proving how biased he really is,” wrote a third.

However, an overwhelming number of people disagreed with Donald Trump Jr., with some pointing out that Posobiec’s post was incorrect.

“Yes, defendants have to be in court for their OWN trial duh. He did not rule on Barron’s graduation yet. Poso Jack the liar is wrong,” one X user commented.

“Or, that’s just normal court rules. Defendants don’t get special privileges,” wrote another.

A third asked: “It’s the law. How is running a court room based on laws ‘evil’? Lol”

Donald Trump is the first former president in United States history to stand trial in a criminal case. He was indicted in March 2023 on charges of falsifying business records relating to alleged hush money payments made to former adult film star Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. Daniels said she had an affair with Donald Trump in 2006, which he has denied. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

During the trial, Donald Trump’s lawyer said the defense team didn’t believe the case should have been brought to trial during the campaign season. The former president has repeatedly accused prosecutors and judges of attempting to interfere with his 2024 reelection bid by moving forward with his plethora of legal challenges before November.

The former president briefly addressed reporters as he left the courthouse on Monday, repeating that the case was a “political witch hunt” against him. Donald Trump has repeatedly attacked Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office is leading the case against him.