Trump holds raucous TV appearances just hours after Melania’s mom died | US News
Former First Lady Melania announced the death of her mother, Amalija Knavs, 78, in a heartfelt post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday night. Her husband on Truth Social said it was ‘a very sad night for the entire family’ and said Knavs ‘was an incredible woman, and will be missed far beyond words’.
Trump’s lawyer, Christopher Kise, cited Trump’s mother-in-law’s death in requesting that New York Judge Arthur Engoron postpone closing arguments Thursday in his $370million civil fraud trial. Kise wrote that Trump ‘was very close to’ Knavs, Fox News reported. Engoron replied he was ‘sorry to hear the sad news’, but denied Trump’s request.
On Wednesday night, about 24 hours after Knavs’ death, Trump skipped the fifth 2024 Republican debate in Iowa. Instead, he spoke at a competing Fox News town hall close by, slamming his opponents and saying ‘nobody cared too much’ about Chris Christie who exited the 2024 race.
Trump had requested to deliver his own closing statement in the fraud trial, but Engoron rescinded permission. On Thursday afternoon, Trump defied the judge and gave a raucous six-minute courtroom speech before being cut off by Engoron.
‘I did nothing wrong, they should pay me for what we’ve had to go through… What happened here, sir, is a fraud on me,’ Trump rambled to Engoron.
‘I know you have your agenda.’
His brief address was not televised, but Trump then held his own press conference at his building at 40 Wall Street as the closing arguments resumed.
‘My legal issues, every one of them, every one – civil and criminal ones – are all set up by Joe Biden. Crooked Joe Biden,’ Trump told reporters.
‘They’re doing it for election interference, and, in a way, I guess you’d consider it part of the campaign, because if you really look at it, they are doing this, and it’s never been done like this in this country. It’s like we are a Third World country – a banana republic.’
Trump’s actions drew a slew of chatter on social media in relation to Melania and the family’s loss.
‘The “It’s cruel if the judge not to let Trump be with his wife in her time of grief” argument would be less cynical if Trump had actually cared about consoling Melania,’ wrote journalist and author James Surowiecki on X. ‘Instead, he went to Iowa for a campaign event.’
An X user shared a post by Republican Rep Jim Jordan calling Engoron’s denial of Trump’s request to delay closing arguments ‘disgusting’.
‘Let’s get real. Trump was in Iowa last night for his town hall. Comforting Melania in her time of grief is clearly not his priority,’ wrote the user. ‘I’d be willing to bet that Melania is not missing him and relieved he’s not around. She probably called Engoron herself and thanked him.’
Former federal prosecutor Ron Filipkowski wrote on X: ‘Rather than immediately return home to comfort Melania after court, Trump will be holding a press conference at 40 Wall Street later this afternoon.’
In another post with a video of Trump gesturing to his cheering supporters at the presser, Filipkowski wrote: ‘This does not look like he is prioritizing Melania’s grief.’
Trump did not return to the courtroom after his presser.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $370million in damages and seeks to prohibit Trump from operating his businesses in the state. She alleges that the ex-president, his adult sons and the Trump Organization defrauded banks and inflated the value of their assets to obtain more favorable loans.
The attorney general’s office and Trump’s defense team wrapped up closing arguments on Thursday afternoon. Engoron said he aims to make a final decision in the case by January 31 but that there is ‘no guarantee’ on the timing.
Melania has not appeared on the campaign trail with her husband. Trump remains the clear frontrunner for the 2024 GOP nomination going into the Iowa Caucus, which is the first presidential nominating contest on Monday.
The former first lady’s whereabouts recently were a mystery, but her absence from the family Christmas photo at Mar-a-Lago was soon attributed to her being by her ill mother’s side.
‘It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Amalija,’ she wrote on Tuesday.
‘Amalija Knavs was a strong woman who always carried herself with grace, warmth, and dignity. She was entirely devoted to her husband, daughters, grandson, and son-in-law.
‘We will miss her beyond measure and continue to honor and love her legacy.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
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