Todd Blanche, the attorney who led Donald Trump’s hush money defense, defended the former president against claims that he had fallen asleep during court proceedings. Blanche insisted that Trump was actually concentrating with his eyes closed in order to focus on the trial. According to Blanche, Trump would often write notes to him to indicate that he was paying attention to what was happening in court, despite his eyes being shut. Blanche claimed that it can be challenging to remain engaged during lengthy court proceedings, even for the defendant.
Despite Blanche’s assertions, numerous journalists and observers present during the trial reported that Trump appeared to be sleeping for extended periods of time. MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell noted that Trump’s eyes were shut for nearly 90% of the day during a court appearance in May. Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, also claimed that Trump kept his eyes closed for at least 95% of the time during his testimony. On the first day of Trump’s trial, the New York Times’ Maggie Haberman reported that Blanche passed notes to Trump for several minutes before Trump seemed to wake up and notice them.
Trump and his supporters have denied the claims that he was sleeping during court proceedings. Trump himself stated that he was simply closing his eyes to “take it all in” and that the courtroom was very bright. Others, like Fox News’ Jesse Watters, have suggested that Trump was in a “meditative state” rather than sleeping. Despite these defenses, the jury ultimately found Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels prior to the 2016 election.
The controversy surrounding Trump’s behavior in court has sparked debate and speculation about his intentions. While Blanche and Trump’s supporters insist that he was actively participating and concentrating during the trial, many witnesses and reporters have contradicted these claims. Trump’s habit of closing his eyes for extended periods of time has raised questions about his level of engagement in the proceedings. The differing accounts of Trump’s behavior have added to the drama and intrigue surrounding the trial and have kept the public focused on the former president’s actions in court.
The focus on Trump’s behavior in court highlights the intense scrutiny and interest surrounding the case. With Trump being found guilty on all charges, the attention has now shifted to the aftermath of the trial and what consequences he may face. The debate over whether Trump was sleeping or concentrating in court adds another layer of intrigue to the already controversial proceedings. As Trump continues to defend himself and his actions, the public and media will likely continue to dissect every aspect of the case and its implications for his future.
