The former president of the United States, Donald Trump, future Republican candidate for the November elections, has reignited controversy by comparing himself to the iconic South African leader Nelson Mandela, portraying himself as a victim of political persecution.
In a post on his new social network Truth Social, Trump wrote: “I will gladly become a modern-day Nelson Mandela. He will be a great honor ». This statement has generated strong criticism, especially from the campaign of the current US president, Democrat Joe Biden.
“Imagine being so self-absorbed as to compare yourself to Jesus Christ and Nelson Mandela in the short span of just over a week: that’s Donald Trump,” Jasmine Harris, the Biden campaign’s African American media director, said mockingly.
The comparison is especially controversial given the legacy of Mandela, who was imprisoned for nearly 30 years for fighting apartheid and became South Africa’s first black president in the first free elections in 1994, ending more than three centuries of white domain.
Trump’s recent statements come at a delicate moment, when Judge Juan Merchan this week extended the gag order that prevents Trump from making public statements about the criminal trial that will begin on April 15 in New York for the case of irregular payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign.
Trump, known for his inflammatory rhetoric, has harshly criticized Judge Merchan, even going so far as to insult his daughter, which led to the imposition of the gag order. This violation could lead to legal consequences for Trump, from fines to jail terms, according to legal experts.
The former president also faces other legal problems, including a case in Washington DC for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election and an investigation in Georgia for his attempts to overturn the election results in that state. Additionally, in Florida he is accused of having illegally stored classified material in his Mar-a-Lago mansion after leaving the Presidency.
With multiple criminal cases pending, Trump’s legal situation is increasingly complicated, marking unprecedented territory in the history of former American presidents.