In-depth CNN review casts doubt on big Trump trial gripe
An in-depth CNN review of Donald Trump’s campaign calendar has exposed one of biggest courtroom gripes to be in doubt.
Trump has repeatedly complained that being forced into a courtroom while his criminal trial involving hush money payments continues has stopped him from campaigning.
“I should be right now in Pennsylvania, in Florida, in many other states, North Carolina, Georgia — campaigning,” he said outside the courtroom as the trial began.
The refrain has been repeated many times.
But, CNN found that, on almost all of the 12 court-free days he’s had since the trial started in April, he's spent his time at his golf resorts in New Jersey, New York and Florida.
Barely any time has been given to campaign events or travel, the review showed.
“He did not use any of those 12 court-free days to visit Pennsylvania, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio or New Hampshire, states he asserted the trial was preventing him from visiting,” CNN’s report revealed.
He has scheduled visit to a swing state on May 15, when he is expected in Ohio.
“Trump’s trial is not in session on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and the judge also scheduled one Monday off in late April.
“As of this Saturday, May 11, that left Trump with 12 court-free days to do as he pleased, compared to 15 days where he was required in court, in the 27 days beginning with the opening of jury selection on April 15," CNN reported.
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“Trump held no public events on seven of the 12 court-free days. And it was no public events on eight of the 12 days if you don’t count his one-minute-long appearance for the cameras prior to a private meeting with the president of Poland at Trump Tower in New York City.”
Since the trial started, Trump used one day off from court to rally in Wisconsin and Michigan.
He’s attended a fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago home and is scheduled to rally Saturday in New Jersey, a Democratic Party stronghold.
“But he has let the majority of the 12 off days pass without doing any public campaign events,” CNN reported.
Instead, he has spent some of the time golfing at his Bedminster club in New Jersey, attending a Republican National Committee fundraiser at his Mar-a-Lago club and residence in Florida, attending a Mar-a-Lago dinner for people who bought large numbers of his “NFT” digital trading cards, and making phone calls and holding meetings.”