'Better than a Broadway show': New Yorkers are paying large sums to witness Donald Trump's hush money trial in person
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The hush money trial of former president Donald Trump at the Manhattan Criminal Court has turned into a public attraction, according to Fox News.
As the trial went into its third week, the lines to enter the courtroom went "crazy long", stated the New York Times, adding that "tensions were running high in the public line."
How New Yorkers are getting seats for Trump hush money trial
To be present inside the courtroom on Tuesday, May 14, the second day of testimony from Trump's former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, people reportedly began to line up from the previous night, with some even resorting to paying others to keep them a spot.
Some people were spotted with sleeping bags and pillows, and a few tense exchanges took place when people tried to break the line and butt in.
A man sold his spot at the front of the line for $2,000, the outlet shared, with one woman claiming to have paid someone $750 to hold her position in the line, She told the publication, "It’s better than a Broadway show."
In the trial, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his team tried to prove through Cohen's testimony that the controversial businessman had falsified business records related to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels.
Daniels had earlier testified in the trial that she had sex with Trump back in 2006, and was paid off to be silent about the encounter so as not to damage the latter's reputation during his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has denied the allegations.
Political allies at Donald Trump's trial
Tuesday's proceedings saw many of the presumptive 2024 GOP nominee's political allies present in person in the courtroom, including the House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.
I’m disgusted by what’s happening in the sham trial against President Trump.
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) May 14, 2024
The American people can see it’s politically motivated.
Their star witness, Michael Cohen, is a known liar who is clearly on a mission for personal revenge. pic.twitter.com/dub4dyu91s
Potential vice presidential candidates of Trump, including North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Representative Byron Donalds, Florida Rep Cory Mills, and former 2024 GOP contender Vivek Ramaswamy, were also present.
Those who appeared at the trial on Monday, May 13, included potential VP candidate and Ohio Senator JD Vance, New York Representative Nicole Malliotakis, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, and Eric Trump.
Netizens mock crowd's enthusiasm to attend Trump hush money trial
Reacting to the news on the Fox website, one reader wrote, "That just goes to show everyone what a sham this whole thing is. They think it is a sporting event."
"For the life of me, I don't understand why Hollywood is not trying to make a movie out of all this. This is the (trial) of the century," shared another, to which a third quipped, "Trump can star as himself from behind bars."
"Paying for a seat that is free. Welcome to NYC," jibed a fourth.
"It’s the teaser for this Falls next season of the Apprentice. Donnie shows you how to win friends and influence people from jail," chided a fifth.
"Sounds like poorly educated Trumpers attending the Circus," commented a sixth.
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