Trump pays tribute to Melania's 'incredible' late mother and calls New York judge an 'animal' for refusing to postpone E. Jean Carroll's trial so he can attend her funeral

Donald Trump paid tribute to his late mother-in-law Amalija Knavs and called a New York judge an “animal” for refusing to postpone the defamation trial of E. Jean Carroll so he could attend her funeral.

The former president, 77, said Melania's mother was an “incredible woman” with “great beauty inside” during one of his final campaign events before the Iowa caucuses.

Knavs died last week at the age of 78 after spending the holidays in a hospital in Miami with her daughter by her side.

The funeral will take place in Florida on Wednesday, but Manhattan federal Judge Lewis Kaplan refused to delay the trial for a week.

The Republican frontrunner, who heads into Monday's caucuses with a 28-point lead over Nikki Haley, insists he wants to be by his wife Melania's side during the service

Trump is facing up to $10 million in defamation damages against columnist Carroll after a jury found last year that he sexually assaulted her.

The Republican frontrunner, who enters the caucuses on Monday with a 28-point lead over Nikki Haley, wants to be at wife Melania's side during the service.

“My wife's mother, who was incredible and a great beauty inside and out – incredible woman – just passed away,” Trump told the crowd in Indianola on Sunday.

“And my wife was pretty devastated about that. I have a lawsuit going on, a total bogus lawsuit.

'And we asked the judge if I could take a day off for a funeral for my mother-in-law, who was also very close to me.

'And he said, “No.” These are animals. Can you imagine.

“These are bad people, these are radical left lunatics who want to hurt me because they think it will hurt me in the election so Biden can win the election.

'I don't think people are buying into it.

'I would like to support my wife who will be present at the funeral of her mother, a very special woman.

Does she have to stand there alone? No, no, I'll be there.

Amalija Knavs, the mother of former First Lady Melania Trump, 78, after being hospitalized in Miami, Florida over the holidays. She is pictured center with her daughter and Donald Trump in 2018

“Anyway, I'll be there. But what a shame that a judge didn't say, “Yes, we can take a day off.”

He then went on a tirade about how all the persecutions against him started when he became the frontrunner in the Republican presidential race.

“You know, all these charges could have been made three years ago. They saved them all for the election – all of them. I got one in Iowa. I got one during New Hampshire – the day before New Hampshire.”

Knavs was a textile mill trader in her native Slovenia when she met husband Viktor. The couple then moved to the US and were by Melania's side throughout her career from modeling to the East Wing. She is pictured with her daughter in 2004

The former president, 77, said Melania's mother was an “incredible woman” with “great beauty inside” during one of his final campaign events before the Iowa caucuses.

Trump faces up to $10 million in defamation damages against columnist Carroll after a jury found he sexually assaulted her last year

Earlier in the rally, Trump told climate protesters to “go home to mommy” after they started arguing.

A group of environmental protesters interrupted Trump's rally in Indianola, Iowa, on Sunday, holding up banners accusing the former president of being a “climate criminal.”

The protesters were scattered throughout the crowd and were escorted from a student union building where Trump held a final rally before the Iowa caucuses on Monday.

Not only were those who supported Trump inspired to come out in -18 degree temperatures, but those who opposed his candidacy also decided it was worth braving the cold.

'Thank you darling, thank you. That's OK,” Trump told the first protesters who interrupted the rally. 'Go home to mom, mom is waiting. Go home to mommy.'