The former U.S. President, Donald Trump, has drawn a parallel between himself and the South African anti-apartheid icon, Nelson Mandela.
Trump voiced this comparison while alleging that Judge Juan Merchan had violated his rights to freedom of speech and expression, and had acted unlawfully.
The former Republican President, who harbors hopes of returning to the White House, is currently facing charges in four separate criminal cases. These cases could potentially result in the 77-year-old real estate tycoon being imprisoned.
One of these cases involves allegations of Trump making a secret payment to a former adult film actress prior to the 2016 presidential election, an election he won against the Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton.
The trial is scheduled to commence on April 15, with Judge Merchan having imposed a partial gag order on Trump, who has been known to frequently criticize the judge on social media.
Nevertheless, Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Saturday and wrote, “If this Partisan Hack wishes to incarcerate me for voicing the open and obvious TRUTH, I will willingly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela – It will be my GREAT HONOR.”
Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years before his release, after which he served as South Africa’s president. He passed away in 2013.
Trump has previously drawn comparisons between himself and Mandela at a rally in 2023, and has also compared himself to Jesus Christ.