Without a livestream into the courtroom hosting Donald Trump‘s hush money trial, the public must rely on reporters and court sketch artists to experience the historic proceedings.
While the court has opted to post transcripts and evidence online, some details, like Trump appearing to sleep, Judge Juan Merchan getting visibly upset over Stormy Daniels testimony, and Hope Hicks dabbing away a tear, make the proceedings more dramatic than they may seem on paper.
Trump is on trial for 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors are trying to convince the jury he covered up reimbursements to former lawyer Michael Cohen, who has been convicted of violated campaign finance law for paying Daniels $130,000 in 2016 to stay quiet about an alleged sexual encounter in 2006.
Friday concluded week four of the trial, which is expected to last at least two-to-three more weeks. Here is a peek into proceedings so far through the eyes of courtroom sketch artists:
Trump’s hush money trial from the insideFreezing temps and colorful characters
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Was Donald Trump asleep in court?
Several times throughout the trial, Trump has kept his eyes closed for minutes at a time, and at one point his mouth went slack.
At least one sketch artist appeared to have captured him with his eyes closed.
While President Joe Biden poked fun calling him “Sleepy Don,” Trump has denied he sleeps in court.
“I don’t fall asleep during the Crooked D.A.’s Witch Hunt,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!!”
Jury selection
The first week of the trial was largely dedicated to jury selection, a tedious quest to find 12 people and a handful of alternates who could be impartial towards the former president.
The seated jury ended up being seven men and five women who are accomplished Manhattanites, including lawyers, teachers and other highly educated professionals.
The identity of the jurors are supposed to be kept anonymous, so the jurors faces are not shown in courtroom sketches.
Tabloid exec David Pecker was first witness to take the stand
David Pecker is the former CEO and president of American Media Inc., the parent company of tabloid National Enquirer.
He testified that the publication paid for and killed two stories that may have hurt Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, including Karen McDougal’s alleged 2006 affair.
Hope Hicks gets emotional on the stand
Hope Hicks was the Trump 2016 presidential campaign press secretary and later the communications director in Trump’s White House starting in September 2017.
Her testimony was highly anticipated and brought a touch of drama when she teared up on the witness stand. She said Trump’s standing with women was a concern in the campaign, especially once the “Access Hollywood” tape surfaced.
Stormy Daniels sketches had internet confused
Stormy Daniels’ time on the witness stand proved to be the most intense yet. Trump swore, the judge got angry and Daniels said she hated Trump on cross examination.
She still managed to testify on some intimate details about the evening she allegedly had sex with Trump, introducing spanking, golden manicure tools and silky pajamas into the trial for the former president.
But her testimony was besides the point for much of the internet, as many people pointed out that some sketches did not look like her.
See sketches from other witnesses in Trump’s hush money trial
Sketch artists have to move fast, as some witnesses only take the stand for less than an hour.
Contributing: Aysha Bagchi
