Trump’s hush money trial turns into audition stage for VP

All the world’s a stage, and this week the spotlight is on the Manhattan Criminal Court as major Republican players flock to audition for the role of Donald Trump’s 2024 running mate.

On Monday, Senators JD Vance and Tommy Tuberville joined the former president in a show of support at his hush money trial, echoing his rhetoric speaking to reporters outside court in slamming the case against him.

Mr Tuberville of Alabama made his bid defending Mr Trump by criticising the fact he is forced to go by the moniker Mr Trump – rather than President Trump in court — and accusing prosecutors of inflicting “mental anguish” on the former president.

“I’m disappointed in the courtroom,” Mr Tuberville told reporters on Monday.

“I hear: ‘Mr Trump, Mr Trump.’ He is ‘former president Trump.’ Give him some respect, I mean that’s what that place is, no respect.

“This is New York City, the icon of our country, and we’ve got a courtroom that’s the most depressing thing I’ve ever been in,” he continued.

“Mental anguish is trying to be pushed on Republican candidate for the president of the United States this year.”

Mr Vance of Ohio — one of Mr Trump’s rumoured top picks to become his running mate — also put in an appearance and took his performance to X, echoing a similar sentiment.

“The president is expected to sit here for six weeks to listen to the Michael Cohens of the world,” Mr Vance posted Monday. “I’m now convinced the main goal of this trial is psychological torture.”

Mr Vance also jumped to defend Mr Trump over reports that he has been nodding off in the courtroom.

“I’m 39 years old and I’ve been here for 26 minutes and I’m about to fall asleep,” the senator added.

MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell noted that the senators sat in court