Former President Donald Trump appeared in court in New York on October 2, 2023, to face civil fraud charges, denouncing the case as a “sham” aimed at sabotaging the campaign retake his White House.
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Former President Donald Trump appeared in court in New York on October 2, 2023, to face civil fraud charges, denouncing the case as a “sham” aimed at sabotaging the campaign retake his White House.
Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images
NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump will have a new protest arena on Monday: the hallways of Manhattan Criminal Court.
Next week marks the beginning of the first criminal trial to include a former US president. As he competes with voters across the country as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Trump will have to be in New York every day of the trial, which is expected to take place. out four days a week for at least six weeks.
At this point, Trump has become accustomed to the halls of the Manhattan courthouse as an extension of his campaign to protest the allegations and mobilize his base.
Trump: “This is the biggest witch hunt of all time” said in October outside the courthouse where he was tried for business fraud. “They’re trying to hurt me so I don’t do as well as I’m doing in the election.”
His statements echoed across the country, as he falsely brought separate state and federal indictments as part of a partisan conspiracy against him.
“Their whole plan is to go after Trump by every means possible, especially criminally and legally,” Trump said. speaking in Rome, Ga., last month. “I returned home to our wonderful first lady who had never heard the word indictment. Neither had I until I was indicted numerous times over the past few months.”
To cheer up the crowds and point at cameras in both places, Trump hurled personal insults at judges and prosecutors in all 88 of his charges, in some cases leading to cover orders. mouth.
The charges in Monday’s trial, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, allege that Trump falsified New York business records to conceal damaging information ahead of the year’s presidential election. 2016. That information focused on payments dubbed “silent money” to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, who threatened to go public with accusations that she had an affair with Trump shortly after he married Melania Trump. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Trump spoke during a press conference at 40 Wall Street following a pre-trial hearing on March 25 in New York City.
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Trump spoke during a press conference at 40 Wall Street following a pre-trial hearing on March 25 in New York City.
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Trump was required to attend this time
Trump has been to New York City multiple times to listen to jury selection and witness testimony in his most recent cases.
These are civil lawsuits – one person alleges him and his top scam organization and another one for defamatory journalist E. Jean Carroll when he denied her sexual assault allegations. Trump did not have to be present at these events, but he chose to exercise his right to be there.
Unlike his previous civil trials in the Big Apple, for this criminal trial Trump must attend in person every day – although the judge can grant special absences. The former president was vowing to appear in court during the day and attend campaign events at night – a schedule that he also maintained throughout libel trial ahead of New Hampshire primary electionalthough his current campaign schedule is about one or two events a week.
In previous trials, Trump was also competing with other Republicans for the party’s nomination. Now, he’s in full general election mode against President Biden.
Merchandise for sale during Trump’s November 2023 campaign rally in Houston.
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Merchandise for sale during Trump’s November 2023 campaign rally in Houston.
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Trump’s court theater
Even as Trump protested that the trials prevented him from campaigning, he used them as opportunities to raise funds and supplement his talking points during the actual rallies he held. organization.
During most of his visits to the New York courtroom, Trump always made sure to speak to the press gathered outside the courtroom.
He used his time in front of the camera to speak out about comments about judgescourt staff, officials brought charges against him and the cases.
He also used these appearances to talk about issues he was working on, such as toughening the southern border, foreign policy and congressional debates.
When in the city, he also holds larger Press conferences at places like 40 Wall Street – one of his buildings in New York. He carried an American flag and cheered on his supporters.
Early GOP support is waning
At first, There was an immediate refund. had The amount of donations increased dramatically around news events related to the cases in which he is involved. And his campaign quickly made and sold goods with a fake Trump photo from Fulton County, Ga.
His campaign sends emails to supporters after court appearances or verdicts, which contributed to this spike. Trials are often the focus of his posts on the social media site Truth Social.
But federal election commission records show that Mr do not donate as much as they used to to these legal events.
He went from raising about $4 million after pleading not guilty to alleged racketeering in New York a year ago and again after pleading not guilty to election interference charges election in Georgia in August, to only bringing in between $200 and $400,000 in November and December. After major court appearances, even after he first testified on the witness stand.
In this tight presidential election, any change in voter attitudes in swing states could determine control of the White House. And while polls show Trump slightly ahead in key positions, NPR/PBS/Marist Poll that if Trump is convicted, Biden will have a 6-point lead, especially because the gap among independents will narrow.
