Gaetz breathes fire in defense of Trump: ‘This is a MADE-UP CRIME’

2X6TDGK New York, United States. 16th May, 2024. Rep. Matt Gaetz R-FL, speaks at a news conference outside Criminal court in Manhattan on Thursday, May 16, 2024 in New York City.The hush money trial of former President Donald Trump continues with his former attorney Michael Cohen taking the stand for the third day. Photo by Louis Lanzano/UPI Credit: UPI/Alamy Live News

Photo: Alamy

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., brought the heat to the heart of New York City on Thursday, where he joined fellow Republican allies to stand beside President Trump amidst his ongoing Manhattan “hush money” trial.

Trump’s entourage on Thursday also included Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., and Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz. Via Forbes, GOP Reps. Diana Harshbarger (Tenn.), Michael Cloud (Texas), Andy Ogles (Tenn.), and Mike Waltz (Fla.) were also present at the courthouse on Thursday.

Rep. Gaetz told the press outside the courthouse, “This is a MADE-UP CRIME. No other American in the COUNTRY would be charged with this type of crime. It’s like the ‘Mr. Potato Head’ doll of crimes, where they had to stick together a bunch of things that did not belong together.”

He also told the media that Michael Cohen, a disbarred lawyer and convicted felon who has starred as the prosecution’s top witness in this case, was a liar.

He explained, “There is literally no branch of government that Michael Cohen has not lied to. He lied to investigators, he lied to the judge who sentenced him, he lied to the United States Congress, and he committed these lies for his own benefit.”

Gaetz further scorched presiding Judge Juan Merchan, whom the Florida congressman described as “corrupt.”

Rep. Gaetz stated, “This judge whose OWN FAMILY is making six figures off of Democrat politics, and continues to gaslight the country that there’s some kind of crime committed by President Trump.”

For reference, Judge Merchan’s daughter, Loren Merchan, has allegedly fundraised money for Democratic clients via her political consulting firm, Authentic Campaigns. Earlier this year, Trump’s attorneys presented a 154-page motion to ask for Judge Merchan’s recusal, complete with 22 exhibits of Loren’s alleged fundraising that utilized messaging about her father’s high-profile case with President Trump.

Earlier this week, Trump was joined at the courthouse by key Republican allies like House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., businessman and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, Iowa State Attorney General Brenna Bird, and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance (R).

In the face of a seemingly unending courtroom schedule amidst a critical presidential election season, Trump has smartly utilized the legal battle in Manhattan as a Segway for useful campaign moments that have drawn his staunchest allies to his door.

Moreover, the 45th president has been able to utilize the media presence surrounding the trial to allow his friends to speak to the press on his behalf about the case since he is currently restricted by an expansive gag order, courtesy of Judge Merchan.

Related posts

Trump calls for USAID to be closed, blasts panicked Democrats

Trump’s HUD Secretary to stop transgender males in women’s shelters

REPLAY: President Trump Departs from JBA to West Palm Beach – 2/7/25