In a recent post on his social media platform, Truth Social, former President Donald Trump slammed Judge Juan Merchan, the New York judge overseeing his hush money criminal trial. This comes just one day after Trump was hit with a gag order in the case, which he argues is unfair when others are able to discuss him freely.

Trump expressed his outrage, stating, "I just was informed that another corrupt New York Judge, Juan Merchan, GAGGED me so that I can not talk about the corruption and conflicts taking place in his courtroom with respect to a case that everyone, including the D.A., felt should never have been brought." He further questioned the fairness of the situation, emphasizing, "They can talk about me, but I can't talk about them???"

The former president called for Judge Merchan's recusal, contending that there has "virtually never been a more conflicted judge than this one." Trump accused the judge of engaging in "election interference at its worst."

The gag order issued by Judge Merchan on Monday expanded the restrictions to include Trump's attacks against Merchan's daughter, Loren, who is a Democratic political consultant. The judge deemed these attacks as having no legitimate purpose and causing fear among participants in the proceedings.

Initially, the gag order only prohibited Trump from publicly discussing jurors, witnesses, and "family members of any counsel or staff member," excluding Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's family members. However, at the district attorney's request, the new order now includes the family members of both the judge and the district attorney.

Last week, Trump reacted to an account on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, which appeared to belong to Judge Merchan's daughter. The account featured a profile picture of an imprisoned Trump. However, the New York state Office of Court Administration clarified that the account is no longer associated with Loren Merchan, as she had deleted it about a year ago.

Trump's legal team had previously urged for Judge Merchan's recusal due to his daughter's profession as a Democratic political consultant. However, the judge sought guidance from the state's judicial ethics advisory committee and rejected the request. Trump's lawyers are now planning to file a new motion seeking the judge's recusal.

The hush money trial, in which Trump faces 34 counts, is scheduled to begin on April 15. The charges allege that the former president illegally falsified business records when reimbursing his former fixer, Michael Cohen, for payments made to porn actress Stormy Daniels to conceal an affair prior to the 2016 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

This is not the first time that Trump has made attacks targeting judges and their family members in his legal cases. During his civil fraud trial earlier this year, which resulted in a $464 million judgment against him, Trump accused the judge's wife and son of either desiring to see him imprisoned or financially benefiting from the case.

As tensions continue to rise between Trump and the New York judge, the trial is expected to proceed with these controversial developments now in the spotlight.