New York – In an unexpected twist during the first criminal trial of former President Donald Trump, reporters inside the Manhattan courtroom suggested that Trump might have fallen asleep during the hearing. The New York Times’ Maggie Haberman noted that Trump “appeared to nod off a few times,” his head drooping and mouth going slack.
Susanne Craig, another journalist from The New York Times, echoed Haberman’s observations on MSNBC, recounting that Trump seemed to nod off and then jolt back up. These accounts present a picture of Trump appearing disengaged during the trial, which could undermine his credibility, given his attacks on President Joe Biden’s energy levels during the 2020 presidential campaign.
The Trump campaign quickly denied the allegations, dismissing them as “100% Fake News” and stating the claims came from journalists who were not in the courtroom. The campaign’s response highlights the ongoing battle between Trump’s camp and the media over factual accuracy.
Due to a lack of cameras in the courtroom, the public cannot see the trial unfold firsthand. Instead, a small group of reporters with access to the courtroom must serve as the nation’s eyes and ears. This arrangement raises questions about the need for greater transparency in such a historic trial, particularly given Trump’s status as a former president.
The absence of direct visuals from the courtroom leaves the public reliant on reports from journalists, which may contribute to divergent views of the trial and further deepen the nation’s political divide.
