On Saturday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump compared himself to South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, prompting swift and harsh criticism from President Joe Biden’s campaign team.
The 77-year-old Trump has been indicted in four separate criminal counts, all of which could result in jail time.
In one of those cases, he is accused of paying hush money to a former porn star before of the 2016 presidential election, which he won against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
That trial is scheduled to begin on April 15, and Judge Juan Merchan has issued a partial gag order against Trump, who has regularly insulted the judge on social media.
On Saturday, Trump slammed Merchan on his Truth Social platform, accusing him of violating his First Amendment rights to free speech and expression and disobeying the law.
“If this Partisan Hack wants to put me in the ‘clink’ for speaking the open and obvious TRUTH, I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela – It will be my GREAT HONOR,” Trump wrote.
Mandela served 27 years in jail before being released and becoming South Africa’s president. He died in 2013.
Trump earlier compared himself to Nelson Mandela at a 2023 rally, as well as to Jesus Christ.
Following Saturday’s post by Trump, the Democratic incumbent’s likely rival in the November election, Biden’s campaign team promptly went on the offense.
“Imagine being so self-centered that you compare yourself to Jesus Christ and Nelson Mandela all within the span of little more than a week: that’s Donald Trump for you,” Team Biden said in a statement.