Trump's Trial Draws Support from Potential Running Mates

Former President Trump's trial in Manhattan is garnering support from GOP lawmakers and politicians considered as potential running mates for his 2024 run.

Former President Donald Trump's unprecedented trial in Manhattan is showcasing support from Republican lawmakers and politicians who have been floated as potential running mates for his 2024 presidential bid.

Outside the courtroom on Tuesday, Trump was flanked by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Representative Byron Donalds, Florida Representative Cory Mills, and former 2024 GOP contender Vivek Ramaswamy. All four individuals are staunch defenders of the former president and are reportedly in contention for the vice presidential nomination.

"This is a sham trial. It's politically motivated. It's an assault on the leading candidate for U.S. president," said Vivek Ramaswamy, echoing Trump's sentiments.

Also present in support of Trump was Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who has publicly voiced his opposition to the 34 counts of falsifying business records against the former president.

Trump's supporters have dismissed the charges as politically motivated and have accused prosecutors of targeting the former president. "It's an attempt to destroy him politically," said Representative Byron Donalds.

The lineup of high-profile supporters follows Monday's appearance by Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, New York Representative Nicole Malliotakis, Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, and Trump's son Eric Trump.

A Trump campaign official stated that the supporters volunteered to join the former president in court out of friendship and that they were not invited by the campaign.

Trump is back in court for his 17th day of the trial on Tuesday, where the court is expected to hear additional testimony from former Trump attorney Michael Cohen.

Monday's proceedings marked the first time Cohen took the stand, detailing how he used his own funds to pay $130,000 to former pornographic actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement and the rights to her claims of an alleged affair with Trump in 2006.

Cohen testified that he discussed the payment with Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, who initially expressed reservations about funding the transaction. Cohen said he then used a home equity line of credit to secure the necessary funds.

Cohen's testimony also included revelations that he secretly recorded Trump in 2016 regarding another payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also claimed to have had an affair with Trump. Cohen said he made the recording to protect himself and to ensure that the publisher of the National Enquirer, David Pecker, would remain loyal to Trump.

The large showing of Trump allies this week comes as the former president has remained coy about his choice for vice president, indicating that the selection will be announced ahead of the Republican National Convention in July.

"This weekend, we had 15 people.... They’re all out there campaigning," Trump told Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin last week. "It might actually be more effective this way because, you know, every one of them thinks they could be chosen, which I guess possibly is so."

On Monday, Vance, Malliotakis, and Tuberville held a press conference outside the courthouse, where they criticized the gag order imposed on Trump, which prevents him from speaking publicly about witnesses and family members of court officials. Trump has been found in violation of the order on multiple occasions, resulting in a $10,000 fine and a warning from the presiding judge that further violations could lead to jail time.

"The thing that the president is prevented from saying, which is a disgrace, is that every single person involved in this prosecution is practically a Democratic political operative," said Vance.

Supporters of former President Trump vowed to continue supporting him throughout the trial, expressing confidence that he will emerge victorious. "We believe in his innocence, and we believe that he's going to fight for the American people," said Representative Cory Mills.