Trump says he's 'willing to sacrifice his freedom' by going to jail

Former President Donald Trump says that he is ready to go to prison if one of the leftwing judges overseeing his criminal cases decides to put him there. 

That's because Trump appears to believe that this would solidify his reelection to the U.S. presidency.

Trump made the remark in a message that he posted to his Truth Social account on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Context

Trump's statement is about the so-called hush-money case that is taking place in New York City. There, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) has accused Trump of criminally misrepresenting the payment.

Trump has pled "not guilty," and he further maintains that Bragg is merely another one of those Democrats who is running election interference for President Joe Biden, by attempting to use the legal system to disrupt Trump's 2024 campaign.

It is not just Bragg who has been hostile to Trump. The judge overseeing the case - New York Judge Juan Merchan - has been as well. Merchan, in fact, has imposed a gag order on Trump that stops Trump from publicly speaking about various things, including about the family members of those involved in the case.

This came after Trump pointed out the fact that Merchan's own daughter is a Democrat political activist who stands to profit from the prosecution of Trump.

Trump is currently trying to get Merchan to recuse himself, but the judge is refusing to do so - despite the obvious conflict.

"I will gladly..."

Trump has released several social media statements in recent days regarding this case, and, with the statements, Trump has essentially dared Merhan to put him in prison.

It was in one of these statements that Trump said that he'd be happy to go to prison, if Merchan were to decide to put him there for violating the gag order.

"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.

The Washington Examiner notes, "Mandela served 27 years in prison following his campaign to overthrow the apartheid government. Upon his release, he served a single term as the country’s president."

Trump concluded, "We have to Save our Country from these Political Operatives masquerading as Prosecutors and Judges, and I am willing to sacrifice my Freedom for that worthy cause. We are a Failing Nation, but on November 5th, we will become a Great Nation again. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"