CLAIM: New York Judge Juan M. Merchan told former President Donald Trump on the first day of his hush money case that he can’t attend his son Barron’s May 17 high school graduation because he must be in court that day.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. Merchan said on Monday that he was not prepared to rule on a request from Trump’s lawyers that court be adjourned on May 17 so that Trump can attend the ceremony. He said his decision will depend on how the trial proceeds.

THE FACTS: As he left court following the trial’s first day, Trump said of Merchan, “it looks like the judge will not let me go to the graduation of my son.” Moments later, he expressed displeasure because the trial made it so “that I can’t go to my son’s graduation” and a number of other events, including a U.S. Supreme Court hearing and campaign stops.

Trump then furthered his criticism of the judge on his Truth Social platform, writing in one post both that he “will likely not be allowed to attend” and that “the Judge, Juan Merchan, is preventing me from proudly attending my son’s Graduation.” He wrote in another post less than two hours later that he is “being prohibited from attending.”