A group of Republican allies are joining former President Trump in Manhattan court this week, including potential vice presidential contenders. House Speaker Mike Johnson, Florida Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and former presidential contender Vivek Ramaswamy were all present with Trump in court. Johnson criticized the presiding judge and the prosecution team as politically-motivated against Trump, accusing them of using all available tools to punish him. The supporters volunteered to join Trump in court to show their support, and were not invited by the campaign.
Former President Trump was also joined by Ohio Sen. JD Vance, New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, and his son Eric Trump in court on Monday. Eric Trump, Trump’s attorney Alina Habba, and the potential vice presidential contenders were present to support Trump in his ongoing trial. The court is currently hearing testimony from former Trump attorney Michael Cohen regarding the payment to Stormy Daniels to silence her claims of an alleged affair with Trump in 2006. Prosecutors allege that the Trump Organization reimbursed Cohen and inaccurately logged the payments as legal expenses.
Michael Cohen testified that he secretly recorded Trump in 2016 to provide proof to publisher David Pecker that Trump planned to repay him for purchasing a potentially damaging story. Cohen used his own funds to pay Daniels $130,000 for a non-disclosure agreement and rights to her claims of the affair in October 2016, ahead of the election. He discussed funding the payment with Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, who initially could not provide the funds. Cohen obtained the money through a home equity line of credit instead of his personal account, and did not discuss the matter with his wife.
During his remarks outside the Manhattan courthouse, Speaker Johnson declared that Cohen is on a mission for personal revenge and has a history of lying. He accused Cohen of perjury, lying to Congress, the IRS, and federal election officials, and emphasized that his testimony should not be trusted. The case revolves around allegations that the Trump Organization reimbursed Cohen and fraudulently recorded the payments. Prosecutors are working to demonstrate that Trump misreported financial records with the intention of committing or concealing a separate crime.
Trump’s allies, including politicians and potential vice presidential contenders, have shown up in court to support him through the trial proceedings. The presence of these allies, along with Trump’s own participation in the trial, underscores the importance of this case to Trump and his political future. The outcome of this trial will likely have significant implications for Trump’s potential political comeback and presidential aspirations. Trump’s defense team, along with the support of his Republican allies, is working to combat the allegations and secure a favorable outcome in court. The ongoing trial continues to generate significant attention and controversy surrounding Trump and his associates.
