In a recent interview with Fox News, Donald Trump, the anticipated Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential race, expressed the emotional toll his conviction has taken on his family, particularly his wife, Melania Trump, and their children.
The interview, aired on Sunday morning, was conducted by the co-hosts of "Fox and Friends Weekend," Will Cain, Rachel Campos-Duffy, and Pete Hegseth.
The former President was convicted on all 34 counts in a case concerning falsified business records. The case was brought forward by Democratic District Attorney Alvin Bragg and tried by a jury in Manhattan, a borough known for its Democratic leanings. Trump shared the repercussions of the verdict on his family during the interview.
He stated, "So I think in many ways, its tougher on them than it is on me. Theyre good people, all of them. Everyone, everyone." He further elaborated on the strain his wife has been under, saying, "I have a wonderful wife who has to listen to this stuff all the time. They do that for this reason. They do that, all these salacious names that they put in of these people. And Im not even allowed to defend myself because of the gag order. Think of it."
Trump also accused his opponents of creating chaos, stating, "But they put the stuff in there to create havoc. These are bad people. I know everything theyre doing. I know every move they make. I get it. But a lot of people dont." He reiterated the impact on his family, saying, "But its tougher, I think, its probably in many ways its tougher on my family than it is on me. You know, shes fine, but I think its very hard for her. I mean, shes fine, but it, you know, she has to read all this crap."
Regarding his youngest son, Barron Trump, the former president revealed that Barron is "a very good student" who is "very sought after" by colleges. He also mentioned that Judge Juan Merchan eventually allowed him to attend Barron's high school graduation amidst the trial.
Trump's children responded to their father's conviction on social media. Donald Trump Jr. expressed his views in an interview with Tucker Carlson, co-founder of the Daily Caller, calling his father's conviction a "bastardization of justice." Eric Trump suggested that the conviction might boost his father's chances in the 2024 presidential election, while Ivanka Trump posted a supportive message for her father on Instagram.
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