Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of his hush money trial unfolding in New York. Following the rapid selection of seven jurors on the trial’s second day, Trump accused the judge of rushing the proceedings, asserting that conflicts of interest were at play.
“So we think we have a very conflicted, highly conflicted judgment shouldn’t be the case and he’s rushing this trial,” Trump told reporters outside the court on Tuesday.
MSNBC host Mika Brzezinski remarked on Trump’s reaction and his engagement during jury selection, noting his intermittent attentiveness toward potential jurors.
“Reporters in the court described Trump as being more alert at times looking intently at potential jurors as they answer questions,” Brzezinski said. “Judge Juan Merchan believes the jury selection process will be completed this week, and advises the jurors already stated to be ready for opening arguments to begin on Monday morning. The day ran so smoothly that Donald Trump claimed outside of court that the judge was rushing the trial.”
Host Joe Scarborough turned to attorney George Conway for insights into the trial’s smooth pace.
“So George Conway, the pace seems to be going at a fairly quick clip. What do you see in there? What do you expect?”
Conway acknowledged the rapidity of the proceedings, attributing it to the judge’s swift elimination of impartial jurors. With both sides having only four peremptory challenges remaining, Conway predicted a further acceleration, albeit expressing doubts about Trump’s courtroom demeanor.
“It is going faster than it seems to at first,” Conway stated. “They started with a panel of 96 people, and I think the way that it was expedited, the way he expedited is asked everybody up front, if you can’t be impartial, raise your hand, essentially. That got rid of about two-thirds of the veneer of the pool so they began focusing on the remaining 30 or so. It was done very efficiently.”
During jury selection, Trump faced rebuke from Judge Merchan for intimidating remarks directed at a potential juror, prompting Conway to highlight Trump’s volatile conduct. He commended the judge for promptly addressing Trump’s behavior, emphasizing the necessity of upholding courtroom decorum.
Conway referenced Trump’s behavior in previous trials, particularly in the E. Jean Carroll case, where his conduct contributed to an adverse verdict. He stressed the importance of Trump demonstrating respect for the judicial process, noting that contemptuous behavior only undermines his defense.
“It’s great that the judge is clamping down on that early. His conduct in the courtroom is really very demonstrative, and very emotional at times, and I actually don’t think he has a complete ability to control himself,” Conway said. “I think we saw that during the E. Jean Carroll trial. I think we’re going to see it again, and I think it’s important for the judge to give him warnings that he can’t do that in front of the jury. The fact is, to the extent he does that in front of the jury shows disrespect for the jury and doesn’t necessarily help him.”
“That’s one of the reasons why I think he was hit with the $83.3 million verdict during the second E. Jean Carroll trial,” he added. “He sat in front of the jury and showed contempt for the entire process and contempt for the jury, which dovetailed nicely that the other side was trying to prove: This is a bad guy who doesn’t respect anything.”
Watch the segment below from MSNBC:
