Trump’s hush money trial: Who showed up (and who didn’t)

by Rich Johnson and Caitlyn Shelton - 05/23/24 1:01 PM ET

Trump's hush money trial started in April
The former president is accused of falsifying business records
Supporters traveled to New York to show up for Trump's trial

Trump's hush money trial started in April
The former president is accused of falsifying business records
Supporters traveled to New York to show up for Trump's trial

(NewsNation) — The first criminal trial involving a former U.S. president began on April 15 in New York. The hush money case against Donald Trump kicked off with the former president’s close friends and relatives staying away in the first several days of the trial. But a rush of supporters ended up pouring in for Trump, with some sitting in the courtroom and others speaking to reporters after proceedings.

The former president faces 34 felony counts in the case where he stands accused of falsifying business records related to a payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, who alleged having a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.

Here’s a look some of those who have, and have not, attended Trump’s hush money trial.

Which Trump relatives attended hush money trial?

Eric Trump was the first of Trump’s children to be seen in court. He’s been a regular fixture in the seats behind the defense table. He’s also blasted coverage of the trial on social media.

Lara Trump, Eric’s wife and the new chair of the Republican National Committee, attended the trial May 14.

Donald Trump Jr.’s only appearance so far was on May 21. He spoke out about the trial in front of the courthouse, calling the proceedings “insane” and “nonsense.”

Trump’s wife Melania and daughter Ivanka have not attended the trial. Nor has Ivanka’s husband, Jared Kushner. Legal experts say defendants typically have family members present at their trial.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 21: Donald Trump Jr. speaks during a press conference while on a break from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s hush money trial outside Manhattan Criminal Court on May 21, 2024 in New York City. The defense has rested their case in former President Trump’s hush money trial in which he declined to testify in. Judge Juan Merchan says to expect summations and closing arguments in the criminal trial next week. Former U.S. President Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
US House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, speaks to members of the media outside Manhattan criminal court in New York, US, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. Former US President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged scheme to silence claims of extramarital sexual encounters during his 2016 presidential campaign. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Senator JD Vance, a Republican from Ohio, center, as former US President Donald Trump, left, and Todd Blanche, attorney for former US President Donald Trump, right, speak to members of the media at Manhattan criminal court in New York, US, on Monday, May 13, 2024. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged scheme to silence claims of extramarital sexual encounters during his 2016 presidential campaign. Photographer: Mark Peterson/New York Magazine/Bloomberg via Getty Images
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 21: Rep. Maria Salazar (R-FL) (C) speaks during a press conference while on a break from former U.S. President Donald Trump’s hush money trial outside of Manhattan Criminal Court on May 21, 2024 in New York City. The defense has rested their case in former President Trump’s hush money trial in which he declined to testify in. Judge Juan Merchan says to expect summations and closing arguments in the criminal trial next week. Former U.S. President Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 14: US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (C) and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy (3-L) listen as former U.S. President Donald Trump (C) talks with reporters as he arrives for his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to an extramarital affair with Stormy Daniels, at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 14, 2024 in New York City. Former U.S. President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Justin Lane – Pool/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 21: Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom as he arrives for his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 21, 2024 in New York City. Trump was charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records last year, which prosecutors say was an effort to hide a potential sex scandal, both before and after the 2016 presidential election. Trump is the first former U.S. president to face trial on criminal charges. (Photo by Curtis Means – Pool/Getty Images)
Pam Bondi, former attorney general of Florida, from left, Donald Trump Jr., executive vice president of development and acquisitions for Trump Organization Inc., Dan Patrick, lieutenant governor of Texas, and Sebastian Gorka, former Deputy Assistant to the President of the United States, at Manhattan criminal court in New York, US, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Former US President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records as part of an alleged scheme to silence claims of extramarital sexual encounters during his 2016 presidential campaign. Photographer: Dave Sanders/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Senators who supported Trump at trial

Florida Sen. Rick Scott was the first major Republican to arrive with Trump at court on May 9 when Stormy Daniels was on the stand. Scott said he attended at the invitation of Trump senior advisor Susie Wiles.

Alabama’s Tommy Tuberville and Ohio’s JD Vance attended on the first day of Michael Cohen’s testimony on May 13. Vance has drawn speculation in recent months he could be selected as Trump’s running mate.

House members at Trump trial

The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, showed up at the courthouse on May 14 and blasted the gag order imposed on the former president. Outside the courthouse, Johnson decried “this ridiculous prosecution that is not about justice” and added, “It’s all about politics.” He reportedly never sat in the courtroom, but his trip to New York sparked blowback from some lawmakers.

Matt Gaetz of Florida and Lauren Boebert of Colorado were in court on the third day of Cohen’s testimony. Boebert said: “We are here to stand with him.”

More than 20 other House members have attended, as well. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who joined Trump in New York when he was first charged in the case, criticized her colleagues for going to Manhattan when she argued they should be back in Washington.

Other politicians at Trump trial

At least two people considered possible running mates have shown up: North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird took some heat from Democrats in her state for traveling to New York for the trial. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has also attended.

Trump advisers at hush money trial

Attorney Alan Dershowitz, former Trump intel official Kash Patel, advisors Boris Epshteyn and Jason Miller, plus Andrew Giuliani, the son of former Trump attorney, New York City mayor and federal prosecutor Rudy Giuliani, have all sat in for courtroom sessions.

Others at Trump trial

Fox host Jeanine Pirro showed up at Trump’s trial. Trump pardoned Pirro’s ex-husband in his final hour as commander-in-chief.

Radio talk show host and former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Joe Piscopo appeared with Trump’s court entourage, calling it a “sign of friendship.”

Newsmax host Greg Kelly, former Trump adviser Sebastian Gorka and former Hell’s Angels leader Chuck Zito also attended.