Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Scott traveled to New York City on Thursday, where he became the first member of Congress to attend Former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial.
Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom during a break from the proceedings, Scott said that the treatment that the former president was enduring was “despicable.”
Scott is running for reelection to a second term in the U.S. Senate. While the former president is under a gag order that bars him from verbally attacking jurors, Scott is under no such constraints, and lashed out at the prosecution.
“It’s a crime in this country to go after the court system to go after your political opponents,” Scott said on video that was recorded by POLITICO.
“What’s happening in this courtroom is clearly criminal. It’s been led by political thugs — the lead prosecutor was the number three person at the Biden Justice Department. The Judge’s daughter is a political operative and raises money for Democrats. You’ve got the lead prosecutor’s wife is a significant donor to Democrats, and I think to Biden. So this is just a bunch of Democrats saying that we want to make sure that Donald Trump can’t talk.”
The prosecutor that Scott was referring to is Matthew Colangelo, who was hired by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in 2022 after serving as a senior official at the U.S. Justice Department. It was revealed this week that FEC records show Colangelo’s wife – Anne K. Small – did contribute $2,800 to Biden’s 2020 campaign.
The Judge leading the case is Juan Merchan. Trump’s lawyers attempted before the trial to have him step down from the case, alleging bias because his daughter is a Democratic political consultant, the Associated Press has reported.
Scott’s visit to the Trump trial on Thursday meant that he missed a vote in the Senate on a procedural motion on a bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration. That missed vote was duly noted by Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Democrat running to be the party’s nominee for the U.S. Senate to take on Scott in November.
“As the man who oversaw one of the largest Medicare frauds in history and pleaded the 5th 75 times, Rick Scott finds himself once again in a courtroom today… this time following Donald Trump like a fan waiting for a selfie,” she said in a statement sent to the Phoenix. “Maybe someone should remind Scott that rather than sitting in New York trying to suck up to a defendant found liable for sexual abuse, he should be at work focusing on lowering costs, securing our border, and protecting democracy.”
Mucarsel-Powell’s comment was a reference to how Scott invoked the 5th Amendment 75 times in a deposition he gave in 2000 as part of a civil case involving his time leading Columbia/HCA, a healthcare company. Scott resigned from the company in 1997 following government allegations of Medicare fraud. The company ultimately was fined $1.7 billion, according to PolitiFact.
–Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenikx
David Schaefer says
Scott you should be ashamed of yourself. Pleaded the 5th 75 times sounds guilty to me. You want to run again you are a joke just as Trump is.
Rick G says
75 5th Amendment claims and this guy thinks 45 is getting a raw deal. Maybe he should have suggested 45 do the same. Stay out of the way Rick Scott.
Joseph Barand says
Scott and Trump are both scumbags who think they are above the law. Past time to fix problems with our legal system. They have both stole millions from the public and should be cell mates. Convict Trump on all charges and save our Democracy.
Joe D says
Senator Scott is trying to gain some “Street Credibility” with the Republican Party, and the Florida Republican voters, by being on camera (IN NEW YORK CITY no less) to defend the former president, and get some FREE NATIONAL MEDIA exposure, making WILD and UNFOUNDED accusations against the Judge, the Judge’s family, the prosecution, Democrats in general and witnesses (all things his Florida BUDDY, FORMER President Trump was told by the judge, TRUMP cannot do in public under the Gag order…although, the gag order DOES allow Trump to complain about the JUDGE).
If former president Trump doesn’t tell Scott to “tone it down” somewhat…or make no comment TO, or ABOUT Scott’s on camera PERFORMANCE, Trump runs the RISK of violating ANOTHER technicality of the gag order …Trump can’t direct or encourage OTHERS to attack the court participants!
Scott knows he isn’t doing terribly well in the polls back home here in Florida (both for his proposal that SOCIAL SECURITY, and other programs should “sundown” …that means EXPIRE, every 5 years, UNLESS it’s RENEWED by Congress). Along with other issues in Florida about his involvement in the past while he worked for a Medical organization in Florida, accused of MASSIVE MEDICARE FRAUD. Of course his Republican colleagues shot him down almost immediately, but just the THOUGHT that such a PROPOSAL about Social Security could even cross Scott’s MIND, was (and SHOULD be) FRIGHTENING to Florida voters.
Of course his out of state trip to New York means he MISSED a vote in Congress to approve an extension of FAA (airline regulations), with a contested (by the airlines) change that says, passengers who have seriously delayed or cancelled flights, not due to weather emergencies, have the right to an IMMEDIATE cash refund of their ticket purchase WITHOUT confusing paperwork/long hours on hold with customer services lines or other online confusing screens, and other HOOPS and ROAD BLOCKS the airlines currently make refund customers deal with, in the hopes customers will simply GIVE UP! The airlines are FIGHTING that change…knowing that customers who don’t go through the current refund process only increases the airline PROFITS.
Of course, Scott might also be using his trip as an attempt to “jockey” for a position in a potential Trump second term administration , as a cabinet member or other high ranking (and high paying) government appointee, IF he doesn’t personally do well in his November re-election bid. This PUBLIC PANDERING in front of TRUMP (and the Cameras of course) could be Scott’s attempt to insure JOB SECURITY, if he LOSES in Florida.
Florida voters need to WAKE UP and ask themselves (regardless of Political party)…is THIS the best we can get as our government representatives? I sincerely HOPE NOT! But voters tend to believe the political banter in social and other media, and don’t follow what our ELECTED officials are actually DOING, and not just what they are SAYING! Of course that does take time…and many people trying to get through the day, only have time for the 30 second MEDIA “sound bites”…and not the TRUTH that is going on BEHIND the scenes…which as a newly RETIRED person, I have MUCH MORE TIME to do.
Endless Dark Money says
Fellow con man out helping his orange jesus, trying to sabotage the courts and avoid any accountability for their treasons. Not surprising these terrorists have backing of GOP. amazing traitor trump the dimwit is still not in federal prison.
Endless Dark Money says
let me guess the prosecutor is black, but they’re not racist lol
Laurel says
Poor little snowflakes Trump and Medicare fraudster himself, Scott. It’s cold in that courtroom! They had with withstand orange comments! The world is a tough place. Trump is the first person in the history of the country to have a gag order placed on him in court, the sanction was created just to keep his trial unjust. Poor baby! It’s so unfair!
Jim says
Rick Scott represents a lot of what is wrong with the country. Here is a guy who ran a company that was fined $1.7 billion dollars and took the 5th 75 times yet he is now a senator from this state.
I really don’t care that he’s in NY sucking up to Trump. That’s what Republicans do nowadays and all Scott wants out of it is for the MAGA followers to blindly vote for him in November.
I wish there was some hope for Scott to be defeated in November but Florida is now a solid Republican stronghold so I think the chances of his defeat are very slim. That said, if people would take the time to look at this guy and his record, I think most would be very hard pressed to say that he represents their values or is looking out for their best interests. This is the guy who wanted to sunset Social Security until that position got so stomped on that he now says he was never for that… Again, he has such a great record for honesty, we should certainly believe him….
So, Rick, go support Donald, a liar, philanderer, tax fraud, leader of an insurrection, thief of top secret documents, huckster for “patriotic bibles”, someone who insults everyone, has no loyalty to anyone but himself but has all the Republicans scared to stand up to him or for what is right. That’s the Republican way and you definitely fit that mold.
Alexander says
Scott made a complete fool of himself running to NY to defend another con artist like himself. One con defending another con.
Rick Scott scammed millions of dollars from Medicare, he should be in jail along with his side kick. Florida sure has many con artists in the Cult GOP party. We have Gaetz and lets not forget Rubio who will say one thing if he thinks it will help him or he will flip and say something else. He is another one that is weak and just follows whatever he is told to say or do.
A bunch of pathetic individuals that don’t have the courage or good character to stand up for their own country or our constitution.
Deborah Coffey says
He’s a complete embarrassment who put in writing that he’d like your Social Security and Medicare to come up for a vote every 5 years. I’m voting for Debbie Muscarel-Powell. We can’t have a corrupt, dysfunctional Congress anymore.
Shark says
The sad thing is that he was elected Governor of Florida and Senator even though his base (Republicans) knew he was a corrupt scumbag !!! Thy are just as bad as him !!!
Sherry says
Another reason why “TOXIC” Agent Orange is so hell bent on being president again. . . he can shut down the IRS and save himself 100 Million dollars:
The news organizations reported Trump claimed massive financial losses twice — first on his 2008 tax return, when he said the building, then mired in debt, was “worthless,” and again after 2010, when he had shifted its ownership into a new partnership also controlled by Trump.
The 2008 claim resulted in Trump reporting losses as high as $651 million for the year, and there is no indication it drew an IRS challenge, the outlets reported. Then, Trump’s lawyers enabled further claims of losses in 2010 by shifting the Chicago tower into another partnership, “DJT Holdings LLC,” The Times and ProPublica reported.
In the years that followed, other Trump businesses, including golf courses, would be shifted into that same partnership — which his lawyers used as the basis to claim more tax-reducing losses from the Chicago tower. That move sparked the IRS inquiry. Those losses added up to $168 million over the next decade, the report said.
The outlets calculated the revision sought by the IRS could result in a tax bill of more than $100 million.
James says
Ya know, it’s kinda interesting Sherry.
Did you know that turkey vultures can sense the smell of carrion in the air from almost a mile away?… Hence why they are usually the first to arrive at the sight of a decaying carcass (of the recently dead, I should add).
So I guess Rick Scott showing up to Trump’s NY trial may not be as “great” as one might think… anyone seen Mitch McConnell lately?
Just say’n. :-)
James says
Does this guy have ANYTHING better to do?
Short answer… no… I suppose.
But then he hasn’t been quoted in the news lately, so he HAS to make it look like he’s doing something. Otherwise, he might be thought of as a “do nothing” like Bill Nelson. Right?
Just my opinion.
Mothersworry says
Scott is trying to be relevant, he knows he’s an idiot. It will probably take the “jaws of life” to pry his lips off trumps ass.
c says
“It’s been led by political thugs ”
Takes one to know one