Former President Donald Trump has been privately seething over various aspects of his hush money criminal trial, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter. Despite publicly proclaiming his pride and honor in being present at the proceedings, which he has labeled an "assault on America," Trump has been reaching levels of fury that are "maxed out, even for him," one source told Rolling Stone.
Among the heavily recurring topics in Trump's private sniping this past week are his bitterness towards New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, who reported that Trump was visibly nodding off while in court, and his critique of the courtroom sketch artist's depiction of him. Trump has repeatedly torn into Haberman in recent conversations with Republican associates, attacking her journalistic credentials and insisting that she was wrong about him falling asleep, despite the observation being widely reported throughout the week.
The former president has also privately asked people close to him if they agree that the courtroom sketch artist must be out to get him, two sources say. Trump has critiqued the sketches that have circulated in the media, insisting that some of the images were likely drawn to make fun of him, including one that captured him snoozing with his eyes closed and head tilted.
Trump's campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, vehemently denied the reports, stating, "None of these sources know what the hell they're talking about and clearly have no access to any type of factual information. These are the types of losers who will try to peddle fantasy as fact because they live miserable existences."
In addition to his grievances with Haberman and the courtroom sketches, Trump has voraciously monitored media and entertainment coverage of the trial. He appeared especially upset with Jimmy Kimmel, the comedian and ABC late-night host who has been commenting on the trial with relish and whom Trump has long despised.
The former president has also been savagely annoyed about some of the rejected jurors and the memes and social media mockery that they posted, which he was forced to engage with in court. Judge Juan Merchan reprimanded Trump for being "audible" and "gesturing" within 12 feet of a juror who was asked to explain a social media post showing people celebrating Biden's 2020 win, warning that he would not have any jurors intimidated in the courtroom.
Trump has been publicly wailing about several aspects of the trial, including the "freezing" temperature in the courtroom, the jury selection process, and the expansive gag order imposed on him by Judge Merchan in the wake of Trump repeatedly attacking his daughter on social media.
Stephanie Grisham, Trump's former White House press secretary who fell out with him years ago, noted that the entire experience must be beyond uncomfortable for Trump, as he has had a group of people catering to his every whim throughout his life. "At Mar-a-Lago, people literally stand and applaud him just for walking into the room, and in court, he has to sit there quietly while some people talk about how much they don't like him. I can't imagine how hard it has been for him not to get up and storm out of the place like a five-year-old," Grisham said.
