Former President Donald Trump is the first former president to stand trial on criminal charges. He is accused of falsifying business records to hide hush money payments made to a porn star during his 2016 campaign. The trial is expected to last at least six weeks, requiring Trump to attend court every day, impacting his campaign schedule. Trump has labeled the trial as political persecution and an assault on the country, casting it as a politically motivated effort by rivals to hinder his campaign.
Trump’s demeanor in the courtroom was reserved and muted, a stark departure from his usual feisty approach to legal troubles. While he has had experience campaigning from the courtroom during his previous trials, his behavior led to admonishments from judges. During his hush money trial, Trump was seen whispering, passing notes with his lawyer, and at times, slouching forward with his eyes closed. His body language was under scrutiny as he was introduced to potential jurors as “Mr. Donald J. Trump” rather than as the former president.
Despite remaining relatively quiet during the first day of his trial, it is uncertain how long Trump’s restraint will last as the trial progresses. The contrast between the courtroom and his usual surroundings at Mar-a-Lago was evident, with the president facing restrictions on travel arrangements and activities outside of court. Aides are planning rallies and events around New York to maintain Trump’s presence while he is tied up with the trial. Trump has kept a light public schedule since securing the GOP nomination, focusing on fundraising efforts and utilizing surrogates to keep his campaign active.
The hush money case poses a less significant legal risk to Trump compared to his other criminal cases, which involve charges related to the 2020 election and the Espionage Act. Despite the salacious details of the case involving a porn star and hush money payments, it may be the only trial to reach a verdict before the election. Polls indicate a significant portion of voters believe Trump should be found guilty in the trial, with many viewing the charges as serious. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden’s campaign continues to focus on governing while Trump remains embroiled in legal battles, seeking to maintain a political split-screen between the two candidates.
