Trump says he can't be with wife Melania on her birthday due to 'rigged' trial

Former President Trump wished his wife Melania a "very happy birthday" on Friday morning and complained that he could not spend the day with her because of his "rigged" trial.

Trump spoke to reporters moments before he entered the courtroom for the continuation of his criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records. 

"I want to start by wishing my wife Melania a very happy birthday. It'd be nice to be with her but I'm in a courthouse for a rigged trial," Trump said.

The former president and presumptive Republican nominee for 2024 said yesterday's proceedings went "very well" and that his trial "should be over." 

"I think we have a judge who will never allow the case to be over in a positive way, he's highly conflicted," Trump said, taking a shot at presiding Judge Juan Merchan. 

He also commented on Thursday's Supreme Court hearing on his claim of presidential immunity, calling his attorney's arguments "brilliant." 

"I listened to it last night, I thought it was really great. I thought the judge's questions were really great," Trump said. "All presidents have to have immunity, it has nothing to do with me," he asserted. 

Trump told reporters he will return to Florida after the trial warps up today to be with his wife.