Finally, the vociferous, foul mouth of Trump is muffled, and we are waiting to learn whether the 10 posts on social media violate the gag order, which forbids his comments about witnesses, jurors, and others involved in the trial.
For the next six weeks or so, Trump might, to some extent, be harnessed in a courtroom while the hush-money trial unfolds and he has to endure testimony from witnesses and charges from prosecutors.
How the outspoken, mean-spirited man will behave through all of this without an outburst is unpredictable, but it’s a good bet he will not sit quietly through these proceedings.
Hints of his behavior surfaced over the last several weeks with a barrage of derogatory statements about adult film star Stormy Daniels and his former attorney Michael Cohen. Prosecutors in the case have asked Judge Juan Merchan to fine Trump and hold him in contempt of court.
The first day of the trial opened on Monday with opening statements from the prosecutors and Trump’s defense, and it’s a shame that New York law doesn’t allow it to be televised, although that would probably only provoke Trump to command the airwaves.
There are sure to be opportunities for him to continue to appeal to his constituents, insisting that “what’s going on is a disgrace to our country, and it’s all Biden’s fault, and everybody knows it,” as he ranted during one speech.
The trial takes place in uncharted territory since he’s the first former president to face a criminal trial. Many of those opposed to his views and quest hope that it ends with more unprecedented facts: a conviction and incarceration.