The first criminal trial of an American president has presented logistical challenges for former President Donald J. Trump. Each day, he spends time inside a heavily policed, restricted courtroom in Lower Manhattan and has limited access to the street outside. During midday breaks, Mr. Trump and his legal team order food to eat in an empty courtroom across the hall from where his trial is taking place. On a recent Thursday, they ordered 14 pizzas from The Pie Guy, including cheese, pepperoni, sausage and pepperoni, and chicken, bacon, and ranch pizzas. The order was confirmed to be for Mr. Trump and his team.
The daily routine of ordering food is common for New Yorkers, and the Trump team has also had sandwiches and McDonald’s in addition to pizza. Mr. Trump is known for his fondness for fast food, having been photographed eating KFC and ordering McDonald’s for sports teams visiting the White House. On the day in question, two men in suits were seen carrying seven pizza boxes each down Baxter Street to the courthouse where Mr. Trump is on trial. The food was brought inside the courthouse and taken through security to be eaten for lunch.
According to Abimael Maldonado, who works at The Pie Guy, this was not the first time Mr. Trump and his team had ordered pizza during the five-week trial in State Supreme Court in Manhattan. In fact, Thursday’s order was the second pizza order of the week. The Pie Guy, which has been in business for a year and a half, has received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Google, with customers praising the fresh ingredients and friendly staff. This information was confirmed by a person with knowledge of the lunch order, and Ben Protess contributed to the reporting of this story.
Overall, the daily routine of ordering food for lunch during the trial reflects the challenges faced by Mr. Trump and his team as they navigate the first criminal trial of an American president. The restricted access to the courtroom and limited options for dining have required them to order food for delivery, with pizza being a popular choice. Despite the limitations, Mr. Trump’s team seems to be adapting to the situation, with the lunchtime routine becoming a regular part of their daily proceedings. The media attention around these lunch orders highlights the unique circumstances surrounding the trial and the scrutiny faced by the former president during this challenging time.
