Trump trial features parade of political surrogates and Vice Presidential hopefuls
Donald Trump has a record for seemingly effortlessly shattering norms and creating a new normal – with degraded norms. And so it went at his “hush money” case on Tuesday.
It was a day that included what Associated Press reporters Meg Kinnard chararacterized as a “remarkable moment” in U.S. politics. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson showed up to say he was there to support his friend. He verbally bashed the judge’s daughter and called the trial “a sham.”
In the process, Kinnard noted, he put the Republican Party in opposition to state and federal legal systems. Johnson didn’t stay for the trial. He left after delivering his unprecedented-for-a-Speaker-of-the-House-at-a-criminal-trial remarks.
Even worse for Johnson: by showing up to morally support to Trump and doing Trump talking points, he undermined his credibility as a staunchly religious political leader whose actions are motivated by Bible teachings.
So much for the 7th commandment “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Apparently Johnson’s principles are like incest – relative.
Meanwhile, a slew of Republicans appeared dressed the same way. Like Trump. With dark suits and red ties.
At this rate, by next week they’ll be showing up in orange bronzer, wearing blonde comb over wigs.
The trial has also become notable for politicos believed to be on Trump’s Vice Presidential pick list appearing and – in a remarkable coincidence – delivering remarks that seem like what Trump would say if there wasn’t a gag order.
All GOPers who show up seem to be there to help Trump skirt his gag order by doing Trump talking points, which include attacking the judge’s daughter.
As Cohen continues to be cross-examined the operative questions become:
1. Will the defense rattle Cohen?
2. Which GOPers will show up and how will they dress? If they sit in the courtroom will they fall asleep to be in solidarity with a napping Trump?
3. Which Vice Presidential hopeful will show up next?
4. Can Johnson get his reputation back as a person highly influenced by the Bible or will he show up next time wearing a long, red tie?
Take your bets now.
I’m betting on the long, red tie.
I’ve studied American history for my entire life. I cannot recall any Speaker of the House in our 240+ year history that ever did something as completely inappropriate as Mike Johnson did today. Absolutely disgusting..
— Without truth, there is NO hope. (@without_are) May 14, 2024
Here's the blunt @AP passage that I quoted on @MSNBC tonight: https://t.co/UE5gaaI81P
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 15, 2024
The fraternity party that no girls show up to: https://t.co/xVTbNrfij5
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) May 14, 2024
What an odd coincidence that Trump surrogates who attend his trial come out and use the exact same talking points, nearly word for word, that Trump used previously to violate the gag order.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 15, 2024
Lawmakers showing up and speechifying on behalf of the defendant at a criminal trial? It's an aberration in modern American history. Then again, ALL of this is… pic.twitter.com/oY4y91ELyA
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 15, 2024
So much for the Party of Law and Order.
“The courtroom has become the new venue for displays of Trump loyalty, as well as the high-profile audition to be Trump’s running mate.”
Mike Johnson to Join Trump at His Criminal Trial https://t.co/Q52lgCXi1S via @politicalwire
— John Avlon (@JohnAvlon) May 14, 2024
Lawmakers showing up and speechifying on behalf of the defendant at a criminal trial? It's an aberration in modern American history. Then again, ALL of this is… pic.twitter.com/oY4y91ELyA
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) May 15, 2024
There's nothing normal about the Speaker of the House attending the criminal trial of the Republican nominee for president, attacking witnesses and the integrity of the trial.
Do NOT normalize this behavior. Do NOT normalize Trump. pic.twitter.com/OoCQwQmEAh
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) May 14, 2024
They coordinated outfits. How cute.
It's like an a cappella group of people you'd never leave alone with your drink. https://t.co/wkwyY4xgRP
— Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) May 14, 2024
What do you notice about this trio of Trump toadies, Reps Byron Donalds and Cory Mills, as well as Vivek Ramaswamy?
Best one wins. ? pic.twitter.com/ybleG0L24p
— Really American ?? (@ReallyAmerican1) May 14, 2024
This is so effin’ far from normal. https://t.co/mfjbidGvZK
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) May 14, 2024
I'd hate to think what this photo would look like if Trump decided the latest fashion was tying a severed cow penis to your forehead and wearing a green neon jumpsuit. https://t.co/3mdAa1sfYW
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) May 14, 2024
So basically Trump’s game plan is to have rotating Members of Congress show up, sit through 45 minutes of the trial, then have them come out and violate the gag order for him in front of the cameras.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 13, 2024
Another authoritarian marker- identical dress. I remember when Ba'th Party officials used to groom their mustaches so they would match Saddam's.@RadioFreeTom @ruthbenghiat @Timodc https://t.co/4GtSd6gYnR
— Bryan Fichter (@BFichter) May 14, 2024
Pathetic. Trump sycophant politicians show up, stay 45 minutes, know nothing about the details of the case or evidence, go outside to make a statement to the media that it’s all political, then leave. The typical shallow, repetitive, brainless political theater of the MAGA GOP. pic.twitter.com/jyKSHc4Sep
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 14, 2024
McCarthy going to Mar a Lago just weeks after January 6th was certainly more consequential, but this is somehow more pathetic. https://t.co/GJ2XimhMJa
— Gregg Nunziata (@greggnunziata) May 14, 2024
A bunch of bozos. https://t.co/5UKZcArmNj
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) May 14, 2024
A new low in U.S. history: a Speaker of the House or Representatives falsely claimed the prosecution of a former President is “politically motivated.”
Trump was charged with crimes after a grand jury investigated, & voted to indict: https://t.co/VgEe6J8Cdr https://t.co/vuGANlYieC
— Alex Howard (@digiphile) May 14, 2024
I forget who first pointed it out but you can tell when someone has gone full Trump sycophant when they start to dress like him — especially the unnecessarily long red tie.
Once you see it, it’s everywhere. https://t.co/AfZtYVuPSF
— Conor Rogers (@conorjrogers) May 14, 2024
So good of pious Mike Johnson to show support for cheating on your wife with a porn star, paying her hush money to cover it up, and falsifying business records so America doesn’t find out about it before an election. https://t.co/4dDzvDs0s7
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) May 14, 2024
Cartoon pic.twitter.com/AqUN9NhBVa
— Bill Bramhall (@BillBramhall) May 14, 2024
The party of amoral bootlickers. https://t.co/pJt2XnIp2N
— Michael Freeman (@michaelpfreeman) May 14, 2024
Mike Johnson never even went in the courtroom. He was just there for the theater. What a clown.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 14, 2024
Tweedledee, Tweedledum and Tweedledumber. #MAGA pic.twitter.com/xe1ixVihV4
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) May 14, 2024
And the best thing about being in a cult is that you can all dress the same! https://t.co/ssdEGnTJMP
— David Corn (@DavidCornDC) May 14, 2024
Interpreted into English: "I'm working with other MAGA shills of questionable character to cover Trump's ass – unless he loses the election. Then I'll forget him and move on." https://t.co/4fuqknL4UP
— Brian J. Karem (@BrianKarem) May 15, 2024
Trump's lackeys are outside the courtroom attacking the judge's daughter pic.twitter.com/SCznSvFKxD
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 14, 2024
.@SpeakerJohnson: Can you point me to the section of the Bible that says to defend men who cheat on their 3rd wives with porn stars while their wives are pregnant with their 5th child & pay to keep voters in the dark about it prior to an election? I’m having trouble finding it.
— Andrew—Author of America Rises On Substack (@AmoneyResists) May 15, 2024
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