Donald Trump complained about not being able to spend his wife Melania Trump's birthday with her as his criminal hush money trial continued Friday.

While speaking to reporters shortly before the eighth day of his trial began in the downtown Manhattan courthouse, the former president sent a message to Melania, wishing her a happy birthday.

"I want to start by wishing my wife Melania a very happy birthday," Trump said, as seen in a video posted by Fox News.

The GOP 2024 presidential candidate then lamented that the "rigged trial" was keeping him away from his wife, who celebrated her 54th birthday in Florida.

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"It'd be nice to be with her, but I'm at a courthouse for a rigged trial," Trump added.

Trump said he planned to head to Florida right after Friday's proceedings to reunite with Melania, who has not accompanied her husband to any court appearance since he was first indicted last year.

"She's in Florida," Trump said of his wife. "I'll be going there this evening after this case finishes up. This horrible, unconstitutional case, when it finishes up."

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However, Trump's comments quickly sparked mockery on social media, with many users pointing out that his alleged affairs with porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal were at the center of his ongoing trial. Trump has denied the affair allegations.

"I'm sure Melania appreciates Trump bringing her name into the national coverage today of his porn star and Playboy model sex scandal trial so he can use her birthday to try and garner sympathy from his MAGA cultists," Ron Filipkowski, Meidas Touch editor-in-chief and former federal prosecutor, wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "I'm sure she was thrilled."

"Trump says he would rather spend the day with Melania for her birthday, but he has to be in court. Trump is literally in court because he enjoyed cheating on Melania," another user claimed.

A third person accused the former president of being a "hypocrite," while another wrote that he should "apologize" to Melania.


Donald Trump and Melania Trump
Donald Trump and Melania Trump host a dinner at Winfield House for Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during their state visit on June 4, 2019 in London, England.
(Photo : Getty Images/Jeff J Mitchell)

Some X users recalled how Trump had used his Valentine's Day "love letter" to Melania to ask for funds for his campaign.

"Has he sent out an email fundraising off her birthday yet?" one person joked.

Others said they think Trump would have been more likely to attend a campaign event than spend time with Melania on her birthday if he was not forced to appear in court for the trial.

"He probably wouldn't be around Melania today," one X user suggested, adding that Trump would have been "likely campaigning or on the golf course."

As noted by Meidas Touch, Trump held a rally in New Hampshire on Jan. 22 -- his wedding anniversary with Melania.

He also spent Valentine's Day this year campaigning in South Carolina instead of spending time with Melania in Florida.


Donald Trump and Melania Trump
Donald Trump and his girlfriend Melania Knauss attend an American Cancer Society gala fundraiser honoring Regis Philbin, May 7, 2001 in New York City.
(Photo : Getty Images/Chris Hondros/Newsmakers)

Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to alleged hush money payments to Daniels and McDougal before the 2016 election.

Daniels alleged that she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, just four months after Melania gave birth to their son, Barron Trump.

McDougal also claimed that she allegedly had a monthslong affair with Trump that year.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges and denied having an affair.