Donald Trump’s New York hush money criminal trial has commenced, and it is already taking a heavy toll on his fragile ego. The proceedings began on Monday, and the very first witness, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, painted a far from flattering picture of the former president. According to columnist Amanda Marcotte, the portrait painted of Trump was not that of a regal leader, but rather of a “sleazy poseur” who belongs in the world of trashy tabloids and scheming hucksters.
Marcotte went on to describe the spectacle as a demonstration of Trump’s true nature: someone who is more suited to “wallowing in the gutter than sitting on a throne.” Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo did not hold back in his description of the salacious details surrounding Trump’s alleged crimes, including his infidelity, hush money payments, and a conspiracy with the National Enquirer to “catch and kill” scandalous stories.
Trump’s defense attorney, Todd Blanche, attempted to portray Trump as somehow above the shady people he surrounds himself with. However, his sanctimonious attempts to label Trump as “President Trump” and humanize him as a “husband,” “father,” and “a person, just like you and just like me” fell flat. In contrast, Blanche’s efforts to discredit Michael Cohen, Trump’s former “fixer” who has already served time for his role in this conspiracy, by calling him a “criminal” were equally unsuccessful.
Despite the defense’s efforts, Marcotte conceded that Trump’s defense could still work, as juries can sometimes be misled, as Trump’s entire career demonstrates. Trump has been attempting to project an image of confidence, claiming that the trial is going “very well.” However, reports from inside the courtroom suggest that he is seething with anger, which is no surprise given his history of surrounding himself with flatterers and sycophants who are always ready to tell him what he wants to hear.
In related news, Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, has vowed to testify in the hush money trial despite Trump’s attempts to silence him. Cohen, who was sentenced to prison in 2018 for his role in a scheme to keep adult film star Stormy Daniels quiet about an affair, has been a frequent target of Trump’s attacks. He stated that he is strong enough to ensure that truth will prevail over Trump’s incessant lying and denigration, regardless of the venue.
Cohen’s testimony is expected to be a key piece of evidence in the trial. Meanwhile, Trump faces charges of falsifying business records to cover up a sex scandal ahead of the 2016 election. A gag order was put in place to prevent him from intimidating witnesses and jurors, but prosecutors allege that he has violated the order at least 10 times. Trump faces a fine of up to $1,000 per violation or up to 30 days in jail. The judge has not yet ruled on the matter.
In a separate hearing, Trump’s defense team’s attempt to argue that he did not violate the gag order was met with skepticism from legal experts. Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, claimed that Trump understands the gag order and has not violated it, but former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance expressed disbelief. Judge Juan Merchan also expressed frustration with Blanche’s evasiveness and lack of responsiveness.
Blanche’s argument that Trump should be exempt from the gag order because he is running for president was also met with criticism. Attorney George Conway pointed out that Merchan was becoming increasingly annoyed with Blanche’s conduct. Blanche’s claim that Trump was simply reposting what others said and that it did not violate the gag order was also met with skepticism. Merchan questioned whether the quotes Trump posted were accurate, and Blanche admitted that Trump had manipulated the quotes. The judge told Blanche that this was not a repost and that Trump had to have typed out the quotes himself, which further damaged Blanche’s credibility.
The hearing was widely seen as a disaster for Trump’s defense, and he could face significant consequences if he is found to have violated the gag order. The trial is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be.
