Donald Trump Comparing Himself to Nelson Mandela Sparks Ridicule

Amid Donald Trump's upcoming New York hush money trial, the former president compared himself to anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela on Saturday, sparking ridicule across social media.

Trump, the presumed 2024 GOP presidential nominee, is facing criminal charges in New York City stemming from allegations that he illegally falsified business records to conceal "hush money" payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign to keep her quiet about an alleged affair the two had in 2006. Trump has denied that the affair happened and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the case, imposed a gag order against Trump last week after the former president made a series of public comments about the judge and his daughter, Loren Merchan. Trump attacked Merchan's daughter for her work in Democratic political circles and called for the judge to be recused from the case.

On Saturday, in a three-part post, Trump took to Truth Social, his social media platform, to criticize the case and the gag order as the former president said he would gladly go to jail and become a "modern day Nelson Mandela" to fight the case against him.

Mandela spent 27 years in South African prisons before emerging to lead the African National Conference (ANC) for opposing the apartheid policies in South Africa. He was also the former president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

"Now, we have Merchan, who is not allowing me to talk, thereby violating the Law and the Constitution, all at once. It is so bad what he is trying to get away with - How was he even chosen for this case??? I heard he fought like hell to get it, and all of the rest of them also! 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," the former president wrote.

He added: "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."

Newsweek has reached out to Trump's spokesperson via email for comment.

Trump's comments have since sparked ridicule across social media as some have taken to X, formerly Twitter.

MSNBC producer Kyle Griffin wrote on X that Biden-Harris 2024 Director of Black Media Jasmine Harris took aim at Trump's comments, "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."

Journalist Aaron Rupar wrote on X, "Nothing would own the libs more than this."

X user Spawn_03 wrote, "Nelson Mandela was imprisoned 27 years for fighting against institutionalized racial segregation. You're trying to go to jail over paying hush money to an adult film star. You are no Nelson Mandela."

Author and X user Jennifer Mercieca simply wrote, "It's past his jail time."

X user Art Candee posted on X: "Trump posted a dare to Judge Merchan to lock him up for breaking the gag order saying "I will gladly become a Modern Day Nelson Mandela." Does anyone...anyone at all...think Trump is anything like Nelson Mandela? Methinks Judge M. should give him his wish."

This is not the first time Trump has compared himself to Mandela. Last October, Trump told a crowd of supporters at a Derry, New Hampshire, rally, "I don't mind being Nelson Mandela, because I'm doing it for a reason."

Trump, who has been indicted four times on both the state and federal level, made the comment after he filed to appear on the presidential ballot in New Hampshire. The former president maintains his innocence in all the cases.

Meanwhile, Trump's recent comments come after several legal experts told Newsweek that the former president could face jail time if he continues to defy Merchan's expanded gag order, which prohibits him from criticizing the judge's family or family members of people connected with the case.

Greg Germain, a professor at Syracuse University College of Law, previously told Newsweek that, apart from making comments outside of court, Trump could face "direct criminal contempt" proceedings while appearing in person at the trial, which begins Monday, April 15.

"If Trump did not control himself in court, for example, if he insulted the judge in court, the judge could hold him in direct contempt and put him in jail for a few days or something like that," he said.