Washington:

Republican White House candidate Donald Trump compared himself to South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela on Saturday, drawing swift and vicious criticism from President Joe Biden’s campaign.

Trump, 77, has been indicted in four separate criminal cases, all of which could lead to jail time for the billionaire real estate mogul.

In one case, he was accused of paying hush money to a former porn star before the 2016 presidential election, which he defeated Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The trial is scheduled to begin on April 15, with Judge Juan Merchan issuing a partial gag order against Trump, who has frequently attacked the judge on social media.

Speaking on his “Truth Social” platform on Saturday, Trump accused Merchin of violating his First Amendment rights to free speech and expression and violating the law.

Trump wrote: “If this partisan hack wanted me to be ‘punished’ for telling the public and obvious truth, I would happily be a modern-day Nelson Mandela — it would be a huge honor for me. “

Mandela spent 27 years in prison before being released and eventually serving as President of South Africa. He died in 2013.

Trump previously compared himself to Mandela at a rally in 2023 and also compared himself to Jesus Christ.

Biden’s campaign quickly went on the offensive after a speech on Saturday by Trump, the Democratic incumbent’s likely challenger in the November election.

“Imagine being so self-centered that you compare yourself to Jesus Christ and Nelson Mandela in a little over a week: That’s your Donald Trump,” the Biden team said in a statement general.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)