What we’ve learned so far from Donald Trump’s criminal trial
Whew, that was something. We’re two days into Donald Trump’s first criminal trial, without having even reached opening statements yet, and the trial is already breaking ground. So what have we learned so far? A lot.
For starters – and this may end up being the single most impactful story coming out of this trial other than the verdict itself – Trump is now so far gone that he keeps dozing off during the trial. This suggests that Trump is too deep into dementia to be able to remain even partially “with it” for longer than brief stretches of time. Trump sleeping during his trial is likely about to become a huge narrative, not only among the media, but among comedians and late night talk shows. It reinforces to the people in the middle that Trump is indeed a fading dementia patient, just as his detractors have been claiming.
As for the trial itself, the jury selection process has also been illuminating. On the one hand, the jurors are undergoing intense screening – including a comprehensive review of their social media posts over the years – in order to make sure no one with strong partisan bias can slip onto the jury. On the other hand, several jurors have already been seated. So this puts to rest the false narrative that a Trump supporter will just sneak onto the jury and save Trump, and it puts to rest the false narrative that the courts would never be able to seat a jury in a Trump criminal trial.
This jury selection process is also a reminder that a whole lot of Americans simply do not follow politics. Sure, they know who Trump is, and in general they know what the criticisms and scandals surrounding him are – but only in the generic sense. Think about it. If you don’t watch cable news, aren’t on Twitter, don’t follow any political groups on Facebook, and decline to engage in any real world political conversations, then you really don’t know any of the day to day specifics about what’s going on. These are the kind of people who were always going to end up on this jury. And once they see the evidence, they’re very likely to convict.
There have also been several moments during this trial in which Donald Trump has been forcefully reminded that he is totally powerless. The judge keeps calling him “Mr. Trump” because no one cares who you used to be when you’re now a criminal defendant. Alvin Bragg has filed a motion to have Trump thrown in jail for 30 days if he violates his gag order again. The judge has separately informed Trump that he’ll be arrested if he fails to keep showing up for the trial. And at one point on Tuesday the judge ordered Trump to stop gesturing in the direction of the jurors. That’s right, Defendant Trump is now so locked down, he’s not even in charge of when he gets to use his hands. That’s just how it goes when you’re on criminal trial.
The trial will resume tomorrow. Most or all of the remaining jury seats should be filled by the end of tomorrow. Opening statements will come thereafter. And then it’ll be on to the witnesses for the prosecution including Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels. Trump will be under threat of getting hauled away if he tries gesturing in their direction as well.
