Former President Donald Trump on Monday shared a post to Truth Social comparing him to Jesus while he appeared in court.
Trump was in court for a hearing in connection to his criminal case involving an alleged hush money payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels.
He took to his social media platform to share a post an unidentified person sent him comparing him to Jesus in relation to his separate civil business fraud case, sharing the Bible verse, Psalm 109:3–8.
"Received this morning — Beautiful, thank you! 'It's ironic that Christ walked through His greatest persecution the very week they are trying to steal your property from you. But have you seen this verse...?'" he wrote.
The Context
Trump faceda Monday deadline to pay the $454 million fine or post bond in his business fraud case after Judge Arthur Engoron in February ordered him to pay $355 million after siding with New York Attorney General Letitia James in a civil suit. The payment shot up past $450 million with interest.
James accused Trump and top executives at the Trump Organization of conspiring to increase his net worth by billions of dollars on financial statements provided to banks and insurers to make deals and secure loans. Trump maintains that he did not engage in any wrongdoing, accusing James of targeting him for political purposes.
What We Know
Trump received some good news from an appeals court on Monday, which reduced his bond to $175 million dollars, substantially lower than the $454 million bond ordered by Judge Engoron, and gave him 10 more days to pay those funds. Trump has not yet commented on the ruling.
He previously faced an end of the day deadline to pay the larger bond or James could have startedseizing his properties and assets. The former president has been sharply critical of her handling of the case, on Monday releasing several statements on Truth Social accusing her of election interference.
In the Truth Social post comparing himself to Jesus, Trump shared the text of the Bible verse.
"They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause. In return for my love they are my accusers, But I give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love. Set a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him be found guilty, And let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few, And let another take his office," he wrote.
It was not clear who sent the former president this message.
Trump's lawyers previously said it is a "practical impossibility" for the former president to come up with the cash needed to post bond while trying to argue that the court should accept a $100 million bond instead.
In another Truth Social post last week, Trump claimed that he had about $500 million in available cash but wants to use that money to fund his campaign.
However, this court appearance was in connection to a separate case.
The hearing was into Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's criminal case involving the alleged hush money payment to Daniels, who has claimed to have had a previous affair with Trump, during his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied having an affair with her.
Newsweek reached out to the Trump campaign for comment via email.
Views
Trump's Jesus comparison post drew criticism on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, on Monday.
"Like Jesus, Trump has never read the New Testament," wrote Windsor Mann, a member of USA Today's Board of Contributors.
"Donald Trump is starting the week by comparing himself to Jesus. Whether he has an actually messiah complex or is just conning his supporters, he's playing to a growing GOP faction that wants America to be white Christian Nationalist state, with Donald Trump as a divine ruler," posted former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich.
What's Next
"This is a confrontation between a Judge and those that rule above him - A very bad situation in which to place New York State and the Rule of Law! Engoron has disrespected the Appellate Division and its very clear and precise ruling. He should be made to do so, and at the same time, release the GAG ORDER," Trump wrote.
Update 03/25/2024 11:08 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Update 03/25/2024 11:55 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Andrew Stanton is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in Maine. His role is reporting on U.S. politics and social issues. ... Read more
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