Donald Trump's hush money trial witness claims ex-president tried to influence jury with 'mad dog' stare
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: A critical witness in the hush money trial against Donald Trump described their harrowing experience testifying in the Manhattan courtroom.
The former president is charged with 34 counts of falsifying his business documents to conceal payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
The witness who has chosen to remain anonymous due to safety concerns compared Trump's stare to a "mad dog," according to OK Magazine.
Hush money trial witness explains Donald Trump's intimidating behavior
The witness spoke out about their concerns regarding the widespread atmosphere associated with the former president's ascent.
"There's a lot of crazy people out there. Just look at January 6th, look at the protections that they established around the courthouse," said the witness.
"The authorities took it seriously, so why shouldn’t I? I am concerned about retribution," they added.
Providing a vivid account of the intense atmosphere during their testimony, the witness spoke out on Trump's intimidating behavior and disrespectful attitude.
Noting his frequent glaring and grimacing, the witness who called out Trump's disrespect toward the judicial process claimed the 77-year-old politician's behavior was potentially influential on the jury.
“He was trying to mad-dog. I was thinking, is the jury seeing this?” said the witness.
When Trump was not staring at the witness, the witness said he closed his eyes or gazed at the ceiling, which was disrespectful to the jurors and the court.
“He kept closing his eyes and then looking up at the ceiling,” the witness recalled.
“Almost like he couldn’t be bothered with the trial. Here are these jurors who have interrupted their lives to be here, and Trump can’t show any respect," they continued.
"He’s constantly playing to voters and to the press, but he was not playing to the jurors, and in that room, it’s all about the jury," the witness added.
Hush money trial witness speaks about concerns over court security
Emphasizing the tight security measures taken at the Manhattan courthouse, the witness expressed concerns about potential retribution.
Speaking about heightened precautions and security arrangements to protect the witness, the individual described being escorted in an unmarked government vehicle by undercover officers through several layers of barricades.
The witness stated that they spent over two hours in a secluded waiting area before being moved to a small holding space and to the courtroom where the former president, his legal team, the jury, and the judge were present.
“Even with the gag order, the potential for intimidation is huge,” said the witness.
“I think that everyone in attendance recognized the historic nature of the trial," they continued.
"I think that depending on perspective, some may think that this is a historic venture into firmly establishing the rule of law, while others think of the trial as a slippery slope of political prosecutions," the witness added.
