Donald Trump Courtroom Sketch Goes Viral

A courtroom sketch of former President Donald Trump on the first day of his criminal "hush money" trial in Manhattan is drawing attention as no cameras are allowed to view proceedings.

It was drawn by artist Christine Cornell, who has drawn courtroom sketches for more than three decades. It shows Trump wearing a blue suit and red tie, accompanied by his legal team, with Judge Juan Merchan sitting on the bench.

Another sketch of Trump discussing the case with who seems to be his attorney, Todd Blanche, was drawn by Jane Rosenberg.

Other sketches, of which the artist is unknown, were posted on X by MSNBC and show Trump, Blanche and Merchan.

The jury selection process in Trump's Manhattan criminal trial began on Monday following an indictment against him brought by District Attorney Alvin Bragg for alleged hush money payments made to former adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Bragg indicted Trump in April 2023, accusing the former president of "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election."

Trump has denied having an affair with Daniels, pleaded not guilty to all 34 charges, and has accused Bragg of political persecution.

Merchan, who previously placed Trump under a gag order, released details of a jury questionnaire prior to Monday's proceedings to aid both the prosecution and defense.

In his letter, the New York Supreme Court justice listed 42 questions that he agreed would be asked of each potential juror following discussions with both the prosecuting and defending legal teams.

"There are no questions asking prospective jurors whom they voted for or intend to vote for, or whom they have made political contributions to," Merchan wrote. "Nor are jurors asked about their specific political party registration, though the answer to that question may easily be gleaned from the response to the other questions."

Merchan was defiant in his convictions at the beginning of the trial on Monday, rejecting two efforts from Trump's attorneys—denying the former president's motion for recusal and granting prosecutors' requests to show jurors headlines and stories from the National Enquirer.

"There are no questions asking prospective jurors whom they voted for or intend to vote for, or whom they have made political contributions to," Merchan wrote. "Nor are jurors asked about their specific political party registration, though the answer to that question may easily be gleaned from the response to the other questions."

This is the first of potentially four criminal trials against the ex-president and presumptive Republican nominee this November.

Following Bragg's indictment of Trump last April, Trump said it was "unfair" due to the venue and strong liberal prejudice. In the 2020 election, Trump was beaten by U.S. President Joe Biden in Manhattan, with the current president winning 87 percent of the vote to Trump's 12 percent, as well as in the Bronx (83 to 16 percent), Brooklyn (77 to 22 percent) and Queens (72 to 27 percent).

"Very unfair venue, with some areas that voted 1% Republican. This case should be moved to nearby Staten Island—would be a very fair and secure location for the trial," Trump posted on Truth Social at the time.