Prosecutors Examined Firm With Tie to Judge in Trump Hush Money Trial
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-08-15 04:02:00 — www.nytimes.com
Donald Trump Escalates Attacks on Judge and Daughter After Hush Money Conviction
Donald Trump has intensified his attacks against Judge Juan Merchan and his daughter, Loren Merchan, following his conviction on 34 felony counts related to hush money payments. Trump, who became the first president convicted on felony charges, has repeatedly claimed that the judge was “totally compromised” and should have been removed from the case. He wrote on Truth Social in March 2024, “His Daughter, Loren, is a Rabid Trump Hater, who has admitted to having conversations with her father about me, and yet he gagged me.”
These accusations are part of a broader pattern of unsubstantiated claims from Trump and his allies, who have alleged without evidence that Judge Merchan was out to get him and that his daughter profited from the trial. The Merchan family has faced frequent targeting by Trump supporters, leading to security concerns and a wave of threats.
Trump’s public attacks on the judge and his family prompted Judge Merchan to impose a gag order to prevent intimidation of jurors, prosecutors, witnesses, and court staff. Despite efforts by Trump’s lead defense lawyer to rescind the order, the judge maintained the restrictions. Trump and his allies have continued to insist, without substantiation, that Loren Merchan’s involvement in Democratic politics proves the trial was unfairly biased.
The case has also spurred Republican-led investigations into Authentic Campaigns Inc., the Democratic fundraising firm where Loren Merchan was a vice president until late 2024. These inquiries, driven by criminal referrals from Trump allies in Congress, have so far failed to produce evidence of wrongdoing by the Merchans or the firm.
In summary, Trump’s repeated and unproven attacks on Judge Merchan and his daughter represent a continuation of his strategy to undermine the legitimacy of legal proceedings against him. Despite the lack of substantiating evidence, these claims have fueled partisan investigations and heightened security risks for those targeted. The facts show that Trump’s allegations remain unsupported, while his rhetoric continues to escalate tensions around the case.