President Trump suggested Wednesday his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is being treated worse than mobster Al Capone, as Manafort enters his second day of trial on charges of tax evasion and bank fraud.

Trump asked whether Manfort, whom the president described as a “Reagan/Dole darling,” was receiving worse treatment for his alleged crimes than Capone, a “legendary mob boss, killer and ‘Public Enemy Number One.’”



Looking back on history, who was treated worse, Alfonse Capone, legendary mob boss, killer and “Public Enemy Number One,” or Paul Manafort, political operative & Reagan/Dole darling, now serving solitary confinement - although convicted of nothing? Where is the Russian Collusion? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2018



Prosecutors allege Manafort failed to pay taxes on millions he made working for a Ukrainian political party, and then lied to secure loans when his cash flow dried up. Trump’s former campaign chairman also faces charges in Washington, D.C. Manafort has pleaded not guilty.

It’s the second time in less than a month Trump has made a Capone comparison. Trump told Fox News’ Sean Hannity last month that federal investigators were treating Manafort like he was Capone.

“Well you look at Flynn, it’s a shame,” Trump said, referring to former national security adviser Michael Flynn pleading guilty to lying to the FBI about his contacts with the Russians. “But the FBI didn’t think it was lying with Paul Manafort, who is a really nice man. You look at what’s going on with him, it’s like Al Capone.”

Capone, a notorious crime boss, was sentenced to prison for 11 years in the 1930s for tax evasion.