Live Trump updates: ‘MAGA sisters and brothers’ trade insults as NY gathers for hearing
The Donald Trump circus has rolled into NYC.
The court hearing for the arraignment of former President Donald Trump is set for 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 4.
A Manhattan grand jury voted last Thursday to indict former Trump for falsifying business records in connection to a 2016 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels for her to remain silent about a 2006 affair she claims to have had with Trump, an allegation he denies.
On Tuesday, it will be the first time in history that a U.S. president is arraigned.
Here’s what the scene is looking like on the streets of New York City:
On a pedicab
2 p.m.: The scene outside the courthouse is, just as expected, a wild one. In the mix of the spectacle with reporters and photographers from various outlets are supporters and protesters.
So far, no major trouble.
Most notably causing the most issues are three “bros” decked out in suits who rented a “pedicab” ($2,500 for the day) to show up for the former president. On the back of the three wheeled vehicle is a flag reading “Ultra Extreme MAGA.”
Brandon Chancey, 25, Sean Milton, 23, and Christian Foster, 24, say they all work in the finance biz but did not want to disclose their employer.
“Free Trump!” they yelled in unison over and over as they were jeered by the crowd holding up their phones taking video, with one yelling, “Jail Trump!”
In front of their pedicab is a young man, dressed in a plaid shirt and shorts, cross-legged and holding a sign that reads: “Witches know this is not a witch hunt” on one side and “Trump’s deceit is beyond reasonable doubt” on the other.
“He’s our protester!” said Chancey, laughing.
“We are ignoring him!”
For sale
1:30 p.m.: Across the street from the Center Street courthouse, on Canal Street, some MAGA merch was for sale at souvenir stores.
At the Chinatown Center gift shop, knickknacks, mugs and knockoff perfumes abound, and only one Trump item: bobbleheads with the former president’s likeness for $24.99 a pop.
On his head: a red MAGA cap.
“We have more sales of those than usual today,” a salesman told us, “but not too many.”
Sisters for Trump
Noon: New Jersey “MAGA sisters” Susan Cerbo and Melissa Kirk came to “support Trump and his unfair indictment” outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue Tuesday morning.
They arrived in the city from Middletown at around 8:30 a.m. to camp outside Trump Tower and wave a large flag that is from his successful 2016 campaign.
At around 9:45 a.m., they spotted the former president’s lawyer Joe Tacopina waving to the crowd and entering the building through a barricade.
Standing on the street for hours on end waving the blue and red banner is the perfect way to celebrate Cerbo’s 55th birthday today, she says.
“We were going to go to the Jersey Shore but then decided to head in to the city instead to send good vibes Trump’s way.”
“We hope he feels the love,” says Kirk, 53, just as a man on a Citibike whizzes by screaming “F--- Trump!” and as another passerby yells, “Lock him up!”
“Trump 2024!” the siblings shout back triumphantly.
At Trump Tower
10:30 a.m.: It’s surprisingly quiet, at least by New York standards, outside of Trump Tower in midtown Manhattan as a crowd awaits the former president’s motorcade down to the courthouse.
Metal barriers usually set up for such events as the St. Patrick’s Day parade surround the former president’s building, with Tiffany and Co. to the right , Gucci to the left.
A mix of cops, gawkers, tourists and shoppers amble up and down Fifth Avenue as helicopters hover overhead. A gaggle of journalists jockey for position behind a barrier, and are ready, for what exactly they aren’t quite sure.
“He’ll go through the side door,” says a photographer with a mega zoom lens. “I doubt we’ll be able to see him.”
“What a circus,” a passerby mutters into his cellphone while staring up at Trump’s iconic black and gold 58-story skyscraper.
“This is insane,” remarks another male onlooker, annoyed. “There is just no other word for it.”
“Did you get your selfie with the Trump Tower sign?” a woman on the move asks her female companion.
“Yes!” the other woman answers proudly, shuffling behind her while fiddling with her phone. “Posting it right now!”
This story was originally published April 4, 2023 at 11:17 AM.
