Former President Donald J. Trump found himself in an unfamiliar position on Tuesday as he was ordered to sit back down in a Manhattan criminal courtroom by Justice Juan M. Merchan. The moment highlighted the lack of control the former president now faces as he sits as the defendant in the People v. Donald J. Trump case.
Accustomed to setting his own pace and shaping environments to his will, Mr. Trump is now forced to endure the mundane routines of a courtroom setting that he finds repellent. The cold, decrepit surroundings and lack of control over his circumstances are a stark contrast to the image of bigness he has always sought to project.
Throughout the proceedings, Mr. Trump has appeared haggard and rumpled, his usual strong facade slipping as he navigates the courtroom setting. Surrounded by reporters and jurors, he has been unable to escape the public vulnerability he has rigorously tried to avoid.
As the trial progresses, Mr. Trump faces the prospect of listening to uncomfortable questions about his personal life and enduring insults without the ability to punch back on social media. His aides and supporters, relegated to the sidelines, are anxious about how he will handle the boredom and lack of activity during the trial.
Despite the highly telegraphed plan for Mr. Trump to behave as a candidate in spite of the trial, the reality of the courtroom setting has left him appearing diminished. With the possibility of a conviction looming, many in his orbit are bracing for the potential damage the process may inflict on him, regardless of the legal outcome.
As Mr. Trump navigates the next six weeks of the trial, he will have to confront the reality of his diminished control and the harsh spotlight of the courtroom. The former president, known for his defiance and strong image, now finds himself in a position where he must sit and listen, unable to shape the outcome to his will.
