The sketch capturing the likeness of ex-President Donald Trump during his court appearance in New York City on Monday swiftly gained traction on social media, quickly spreading comments and humorous anecdotes.
“Former President Donald Trump smiles in the courtroom at a hearing in his criminal case on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star, in New York City. Courtroom sketch by Jane Rosenberg,” Corrine Perkins shared to X:
Former President Donald Trump smiles in the courtroom at a hearing in his criminal case on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star, in New York City. Courtroom sketch by Jane Rosenberg pic.twitter.com/0RjXiBSTAw
— corinne_perkins (@corinne_perkins) March 25, 2024
The ex-president is currently facing 34 felony charges linked to falsified business records involving hush money payments to former adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Daniels alleged she had a relationship with Trump ten years prior, a claim he consistently refuted.
According to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the payments were part of a plan to prevent potentially damaging stories about Trump from being made public. Furthermore, they claim that Trump repaid his former attorney, Michael Cohen, with a series of checks for these “hush money” payments to Daniels. Trump, however, has pleaded not guilty to the accusations, as per Newsweek.
The presumed 2024 Republican presidential candidate made an appearance in a New York City courtroom on Monday for a pre-trial hearing regarding the criminal case. Prior to entering, the former president criticized the proceedings, declaring, “This is a witch hunt. This is a hoax.”
His legal team is looking to challenge the trial’s start date of April 15, aiming for a further delay or the complete dismissal of the 34 felony charges.
In relation to the caricature, numerous social media users shared their interpretations.
“When the edible hits,” wrote journalist Aaron Rupar on X along with the photo.
“Winners of the day Trump and this sketch artist,” wrote X user @benstanton77. “He needs to have this hung at MaraLago.”
In a separate post, @benstanton77 added a meme and wrote, “You can’t make this up the sketch artist today made Trump into the literal Meme.”
You can't make this up the sketch artist today made Trump into the literal Meme. 🤣🏆 pic.twitter.com/pmyBVc6ah7
— MAGA Elvis 🇺🇸 (@BenStanton77) March 25, 2024