Donald Trump has publicly erupted in anger after the judge presiding over his New York hush money trial denied him permission to attend his youngest son's high school graduation ceremony.
In an emotional and furious outburst, the former US President branded the decision by Judge Juan Merchan as "heartbreaking" and "very unfair," breaking his silence on the personal family matter. The ruling means Trump will be unable to be present for Barron Trump's graduation on May 17th, a milestone moment for any parent.
The courtroom clash centres on Trump's ongoing criminal trial, where he faces 34 counts of falsifying business records. Proceedings are expected to run throughout May, conflicting directly with the family event. Judge Merchan, while acknowledging the importance of the occasion, stated he was "not going to be able to allow" the request, emphasising that the trial takes precedence.
A father's frustration was palpable as Trump spoke to reporters, making it clear that attending his son's graduation was of paramount importance to him. "It's a disgrace. It's a scam trial. But that's the way it is," he declared, framing the situation as a profound personal sacrifice forced upon him by the judicial process.
The decision places Melania Trump, the former First Lady, in the spotlight as she is now expected to attend the graduation solo, representing the family at their son's big day. The situation underscores the intense personal and public pressures facing the Trump family as they navigate the unprecedented legal challenges against the former commander-in-chief.
This development is set to fuel further debate about the boundaries between judicial procedure and the personal lives of those on trial, capturing the attention of both supporters and critics alike.
