Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump drew swift and fierce criticism from President Joe Biden’s campaign team after comparing himself to South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela on Saturday.
The 77-year-old Trump is facing indictment in four separate criminal cases, each potentially resulting in jail time for the billionaire real estate mogul.
One of these cases alleges that he paid hush money to a former porn star before the 2016 presidential election, which he won against Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
Scheduled to begin on April 15, this trial has seen Judge Juan Merchan impose a partial gag order on Trump, who has frequently criticized the judge on social media. On Saturday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, accusing Merchan of violating his First Amendment rights and breaking the law.
“If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the ‘clink’ for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela – It will be my GREAT HONOR,” he wrote.
Mandela, who spent 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s president, passed away in 2013.
He had previously likened himself to Jesus Christ.
Biden’s campaign team swiftly responded to Trump’s post on Saturday, criticizing the former president’s self-centeredness.
“Imagine being so self-centered that you compare yourself to Jesus Christ and Nelson Mandela all within the span of little more than a week: that’s Donald Trump for you,” Team Biden said in a statement.
AFP
