A few months later, PBS News Hour had this to say about the New York civil trial: …and it has prompted Trump to infuriate his base and raise funds by claiming that the cases he is facing are nothing more than a coordinated attempt to damage his campaign. It gave me a new opportunity to ”
Despite this pro-Trump prediction, Trump was sentenced to a hefty sentence (plus two fines for contempt) and had to scramble to post bail if it proved flawed. If they do, they could face asset seizure again. It’s certainly not impressive. The real estate mogul is a lot like the casino operator who went bankrupt a few years ago.
In the lead-up to the Manhattan criminal trial, reports once again suggested President Trump intended to steal the spotlight. (From a New York Times headline writer: “Trump and his lawyers know his chances in court are in jeopardy. He intends to turn whatever happens into a political victory.”) Cable TV panelists expressed surprise and consternation about Trump’s ability to manipulate the courts. to enhance his image.
How wrong they were! When the criminal trial actually began, reality hit. Far from controlling the trial or using his appearances to give the appearance of control, President Trump is becoming smaller, more decrepit and, frankly, somewhat pathetic by the day. It has become.
The judges, not President Trump, are in control. New York state judge Juan Melchan lectured the former president last week about intimidation of witnesses who defended him. Marchand berated Trump for making “audible” comments and “gestures” toward the rejected juror. “I don’t condone that. I’m not going to intimidate jurors in this courtroom,” Marchand said. “I want to make that clear.”
And on Friday, Trump was reprimanded again. The Daily Beast reported:
As the judge was about to finish his sentence, Trump suddenly stood up — apparently thinking he was done for the day. Machan immediately turned to the former president and said in a firm voice: “Sir, would you please sit down?” …his tone was noticeably sharper than the one he had expressed his disappointment with Mr. Trump’s lawyers minutes earlier.
Without hesitation, Mr. Trump sat straight up in the maroon leather chair of the defense bench and remained there for another minute, looking irritated, as the judge gathered up his papers and walked toward the chamber.
Mr. Trump complains that judges make him appear in court every day — even on the day his son graduates from high school or when the Supreme Court hears an immunity hearing. He is furious that someone else is managing his calendar. It must be a rude awakening for him that the judge, rather than the defendant, presides over the criminal trial.
Trump is clearly The courtroom nap generated derisive comments on social media and late-night comedy shows. Either he wants to show his disdain for the legal process or he is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. In any case, this irony does not apply to everyone. Candidates who criticize Biden’s energy are having a hard time staying conscious. (Meanwhile, the president set an intense campaign schedule that crisscrossed Pennsylvania.)
When President Trump emerged from the courtroom to show off a page of comments from his loyal Fox News henchmen who had obstructed the trial, he looked absolutely bedraggled and rattled. At the end of each long courtroom in which the judge, prospective jurors, and prosecutors call him names, brief outbursts outside the courtroom only emphasize the power imbalance. He seems to have weakened.
Former Obama strategist David Axelrod summed up President Trump’s predicament this way: The weariness and weakness captured in these courtroom photos indicate a growing realization that he may end up becoming what the old man most condemns. Convicted criminal? No, it’s worse. He’s a loser. ”
Marchan will consider Tuesday whether Trump should be held in contempt for violating the gag order, specifically for threatening witnesses and jurors on “Truth Social.” In a bad sign for Trump, Marchan last week defended prosecutors’ refusal to alert Trump’s defense team to subpoena witnesses for fear of having to pursue them. (“I can’t blame them for that,” Machan said matter-of-factly.)
In other words, the judges are well aware that Mr. Trump is hell-bent on undermining the authority and legitimacy of the court and the safety and security of witnesses. I would be shocked if Mr. Marchan didn’t come down on Mr. Trump like a ton of bricks. Whether he just receives a warning or a fine, Trump will definitely get another lecture.
Every day, Trump exudes the stature, control and importance to which he has been accustomed for much of his life. That may come as a shock to him and the political media. Both sides must have understood that this was inevitable since Mr. Trump faced a judge and jury. They seemed to forget that Mr. Trump is an ordinary criminal defendant, regardless of his previous career.
The trial has only just begun. It will be interesting to see how Trump holds up. The time and energy spent in court, humiliating lectures and reenactments of his misdeeds have already taken their toll. President Trump’s tantrums only accentuate his dilemma: whether he becomes angry when witnesses like Michael Cohen take the stand or continues to violate the gag order (both are strong possibilities) . Trump, unable to hide his emotions in the midst of a narcissist’s worst nightmare, has never looked so small, exhausted and weak.
