16 Comments

Hi Jonathan, I'm enjoying your analysis. Do you have any tips for regular people like me who want to attend the trial? Are all the public seats immediately taken? I'm considering waiting until the trial hits mid-stride, when there (I'm hoping) might be some seats available. Thanks.

Expand full comment
author

If you arrive at 6 a.m. at 100 Centre St. you have a decent shot of at least making it into the overflow courtroom where reporters and spectators are watching the video feed of the trial. You see everything but the jurors. The courtroom itself has room for only about a dozen spectators but you got a shot there too...

Expand full comment

Many news outlets, including this newsletter, are providiing comprehensive coverage of this grotesque trial. Indeed, many people, with an acute and refined political acumen, have imagined themselves lawyers as they generously sprinkle their essays with legal terms and opinions. However, not too many peeople are asking the bigger question:

WILL THIS SERVE ANY SOCIETAL NEED IF IT SIMPLY INCREASES SYMPATHY FOR TRUMP AMONG THAT BROAD SWATH OF THE ELECTORATE THAT BELIEVES WE ARE ONLY GOING AFTER TRUMP FOR SEX AND SLEAZINESS

Trump is vile, vainglorious and is like a virulent bacteria who has polluted our poliical life long enough. HE IS ATTEMPTINIG TO DESTROY OUR DEMOCRACY. Hit him hard for January 6 and everything directly related to January 6; leave his sexual BS to gossip columnists and stupid talk shows.

Please see my essay on this

https://davidgottfried.substack.com/p/the-stormy-daniels-case-may-give

Expand full comment
author

I don't agree, David...You can't base justice on how voters MIGHT react...

Expand full comment

Trump's sexual affairs are incidental to the crime. The indictment is called election interference. It is a felony. This country must not tolerate election crime, no matter the implications for the accused.

Expand full comment

Yes it is termed election interference. But the great mass of Americans probably does not see it that way. They see a smashing photograph of Stromy Daniels, looking seductive and svelte, and they immediately regiser one word above all: Sex. And then they infer that he is being prosecuted for sexual transgressions because he can't get hooked on the infinitely more egregrious stuff: Such as January 6.

Please take a look at my essay on this:

https://davidgottfried.substack.com/p/the-stormy-daniels-case-may-give

Expand full comment
author

That's what happened to Al Capone. They got him on tax evasion and it worked just fine.

Expand full comment

Let's give thanks that DA Alvin Bragg's indictment wasn't based on Stormy Daniels' seductive, svelte, sexy body.

Expand full comment

You know who got me started on alliteration ?

That Racist wierdo From Alabama, George Wallace

I will never forgot hearing his speeches when I was a kid.

He used to talk about the "mechanic in Mobile" and the "beautician in Beaumont"

Expand full comment

This is much better information than I’m getting watching MSNBC. Your take that the opening argument by the prosecutors was weak on the election fraud charge is interesting. I haven’t really heard anybody say that. Looking forward to reading your next post!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Billy!

Expand full comment

Thank you for this clear and succinct summary. Hard work, I know!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Sharon!

Expand full comment
Apr 24·edited Apr 24

After days of battering testimony, will Donnie ignore court protocol by remaining seated as Judge Merchan enters the courtroom? If he (Trump) again acts like an ignorant clod, he can serve time in the slammer after the trial ends, perhaps as the jury deliberates. Wouldn't that be special?

Expand full comment

It sure would be nice to have at least a few days without any posts from him. Peace and quiet!

Expand full comment

Good summary! Maybe the prosecutor can get a guilty verdict! That’s what Trump deserves!

Expand full comment