Former President Donald Trump’s political allies, many of whom could potentially compete with him for future office, have begun attending his New York hush-money criminal trial, which is in its fourth week. It highlights how Trump was trying to use New York as a drag on his campaign. Because of his obligation to attend court.
He will be joined in court on Tuesday by Vivek Ramaswamy, Trump’s former Republican challenger and current ardent supporter, his spokesman said. He will be joined Monday by Republican Sens. J.D. Vance and Tommy Tuberville, New York Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, and Republican state attorneys general (Steve Marshall of Alabama and Brenna Byrd of Iowa). This follows the attendance of Mr. Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott appeared in court with President Trump last week.
Those who appeared with Trump emphasized the gag order that prevents the former president from speaking about potential witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, court officials and their families.
Trump has already been found to have violated the gag order 10 times, and the court is currently in court as Judge Juan Machan threatens Trump with possible prison time if he violates the order again. Members of Congress attending the meeting have begun to attack him.
Mr. Vance, considered President Trump’s running mate, on Monday sought to discredit Mr. Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen, who testified.
“This man is a convicted felon,” Mr. Vance said of Mr. Cohen outside the Manhattan courthouse. “Would any reasonable person believe Michael Cohen?”
“The president’s inability to speak out is shameful, but it means that everyone involved in this prosecution is effectively a Democratic Party political operative,” he continued.
Politicians’ statements are beginning to reflect President Trump’s past statements and points of contention. The former president had previously shared multiple articles attacking Judge Marchand’s daughter, a digital advertising consultant for a Democratic client, before prosecutors sought and were granted an extension of the gag order to include his family.
The appearance was also a show of loyalty, he said in April, as Trump has no plans to choose a running mate anytime soon and is considering a long list of candidates.
When asked about the matter in an interview with ABC affiliate WPVI in April, President Trump said, “We’re not in a hurry, we’ll do it before or after the convention, but we have a lot of great people in the Republican Party.” Ta. Potential Vice Presidential Candidate.
The surrogates were able to use their visit to New York to appear on news media and reiterate Trump’s political and legal message as he remains locked up in court. At the same time, it gives them an opportunity to prove themselves as deputy candidates.
Vice presidential candidates also attended limited campaign events held while Trump was away from court. They also participated as special guests at numerous fundraising events.
At a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, over the weekend, Trump mocked Doug Burgum, the Republican governor of North Dakota, who had endorsed him after canceling his presidential bid late last year. Ta. Burgum also appeared as a guest speaker over the weekend.
“He made his money in technology, but he probably knows more about energy than anyone I know, so he should be ready for something,” Trump said. “OK, get ready. But Doug Burgum was great.”
In recent weeks, the Trump campaign has asked supporters in fundraising emails who they want as running mate, while at the same time soliciting small donations out of interest in who, even if it’s the former. ing. The president himself has repeatedly said he does not plan to make an announcement until closer to this summer’s Republican National Convention.
A number of vice presidential candidates will also participate in campaign fundraising in the coming weeks, as they court wealthy donors while off the court.
On Tuesday, Republican Sens. Tim Scott and Marco Rubio, along with Republican governors and South Dakota’s Burgum and Kristi Noem, were invited to attend an event in Manhattan hosted by billionaire investor Howard Lutnick. He is scheduled to participate in a high-priced fundraiser with Trump.
Other major Republican donors and fundraisers also co-sponsored the event, including former Trump ambassadors Duke Buchan and Woody Johnson, Seryl Kushner and Charles Kushner, and Trump, who raised $50 billion. They include billionaire John Paulson, who hosted a fundraiser in Palm Beach last month, and WABC owner John Catsimatidis. He reportedly canceled Rudy Giuliani’s radio show over false election claims.
Mr. Vance is scheduled to join Mr. Trump again on Wednesday, during a break from the trial, this time for a luncheon fundraiser in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later that day, Trump will fly to Lexington, Kentucky, for another dinner hosted by Joe Craft and former ambassador Kelly Craft.
Trump will have to spend a day in court on Thursday, but on Friday, May 17, after he took a break from court to attend his son Barron Trump’s graduation, Trump headed a fundraiser in Minnesota. I plan to decorate it. State Republican Party Lincoln-Reagan Banquet.
The fundraiser comes as President Trump has repeatedly complained publicly that his court case prevents him from traveling to battleground states. But Trump has spent most of his court days attending private meetings, holding only three campaign rallies since the start of his trial, two of them on the same day. I was disappointed.
ABC News’ Hannah Demissie, Kelsey Walsh and Kendall Ross contributed to this report.
