A Day in Court: Donald Trump's Manhattan Trial Unfolds
Join Donald Trump on his latest courthouse journey in downtown Manhattan, where a unique sight greeted him on a Monday morning - a half-empty courtroom. Explore the unfolding events of Trump's first day on trial in Manhattan's criminal court.
Donald Trump has visited several courthouses in the past year. However, when he walked into a downtown Manhattan courtroom on Monday morning, he noticed something different - the room was only half full.
As the former president entered the courtroom, he walked slowly past six empty rows of benches that were reserved for potential jurors. He briefly glanced at the six reporters sitting in the back row before casually making his way to the front of the room and taking his seat at the defense table.
The empty seats were a stark reminder to Trump that he was now facing criminal charges for the first time. Later in the day, the courtroom was filled with 96 potential jurors, some of whom might be selected for the jury in the hush money trial against the Republican presidential nominee.
Former US President Donald Trump attends the first day of his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to extramarital affairs, at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on April 15, 2024. Trump is in court Monday as the first US ex-president ever to be criminally prosecuted, a seismic moment for the United States as the presumptive Republican nominee campaigns to re-take the White House. The scandal-plagued 77-year-old is accused of falsifying business records in a scheme to cover up an alleged sexual encounter with adult film actress Stormy Daniels to shield his 2016 election campaign from adverse publicity. (Photo by Jabin Botsford / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JABIN BOTSFORD/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Former US President Donald Trump is currently facing trial for allegedly hiding payments related to extramarital affairs. This marks a historic moment, as he is the first former US president to face criminal prosecution. The 77-year-old is accused of falsifying business records to cover up a supposed encounter with Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress, during his 2016 election campaign. The trial is taking place at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, with Trump aiming to campaign for the presidency once again. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)
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Trump spoke only three times during Monday’s session, making sure he understood his rights as a criminal defendant. He frequently interacted with his attorneys, exchanging whispers and notes while discussing legal motions with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
At certain moments, Trump leaned back and closed his eyes as Judge Juan Merchan carefully questioned each potential juror, asking up to 42 questions to assess their suitability for the jury pool.
Trump didn't have a chance to speak inside the courtroom, but as soon as he left for the day, he made sure to share his thoughts with the camera. Standing right outside the courtroom, he took out his iPhone from his suit pocket and handed it to an aide.
"It seems like the judge is not letting me avoid this deception. It's a deception," Trump expressed, frustrated that the judge mentioned he might not be able to attend the upcoming Supreme Court arguments on presidential immunity and his son's graduation. However, it was not yet determined if Trump would be excused for the graduation ceremony.
Only six reporters and one sketch artist were present in the courtroom during both the morning and afternoon sessions. They formed a protective pool, providing updates to around 100 reporters watching on closed-circuit TV in an overflow courtroom.
Trump was seated at the defendant's table with his lawyers, Todd Blanche and Emil Bove. He frequently consulted with Blanche during breaks.
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During the trial, Trump sat at the defense table and watched as evidence was presented by the district attorney's office. His lawyers argued that certain evidence, such as a snippet of his deposition from the E. Jean Carroll defamation case and footage from a 2016 rally, should not be included in the trial. In the deposition, he was questioned about the "Access Hollywood" tape, and at the rally, he denied sexual assault allegations that arose after the tape was released.
Trump's tweets about his former fixer Michael Cohen from 2018 and his posts on Truth Social from this year were presented in court.
Most jurors remained composed when they entered the courtroom and saw Trump as the defendant. One male juror even smiled when he caught sight of Trump as he walked in.
Trump watched as the judge spoke to the potential jurors, explaining the case and their duties. Over 50 of the 96 prospective jurors raised their hand, indicating they couldn't be impartial.
As Trump entered and exited the courtroom, he had to pass by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who was seated behind his prosecutors in the fourth row.
In the morning, Trump ignored Bragg, but in the afternoon, he turned his attention towards Bragg and the press pool as the jurors exited the courtroom.
Trump will return to the defendant’s table on Tuesday. Merchan will continue questioning the potential jurors who will ultimately determine Trump's fate in the first criminal trial of a former president. At the end of Monday, there were 32 jurors remaining out of the initial 96. Merchan hinted that more potential jurors may be brought in on Tuesday.
Editor's P/S:
The trial of former President Donald Trump on charges of falsifying business records and concealing payments related to extramarital affairs marks a significant moment in American history. Trump is the first former president to face criminal prosecution, highlighting the potential consequences of his actions while in office. The trial is being closely watched as it could set a precedent for the accountability of high-ranking officials.
The proceedings have shed light on Trump's behavior during his 2016 election campaign, including allegations of hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress. The trial has also exposed Trump's interactions with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and his defense strategy in the face of these charges. As the trial unfolds, it will be important to follow the evidence presented and the arguments made by both sides in order to determine the outcome and its broader implications for the rule of law in the United States.
