The courtroom images of Donald Trump, who is back in New York to face allegations that he engaged in decadeslong financial fraud by significantly exaggerating the value of his real estate, have been something to behold. Is that the face of a stoic former president who understands on some deeper level that the very aura of his fraudulent being is finally getting the reckoning it deserves? Is Trump confused? Or is the scowling visage a symptom of something more universal, maybe constipation? Whatever the case, Trump does not appear thrilled.
That much was evident as the former president railed against New York Attorney General Letitia James, whom he called a "racist horror show" moments before entering the courtroom. As my colleague David Corn wrote, the attacks come as Trump amps the stochastic terrorism against his perceived enemies, making them potential victims of real violence.
But is it possible that Trump's sour appearance is what happened after learning that his legal team failed to submit a request for a jury trial, meaning that one man, Judge Arthur Engoron, will determine the fate of Trump's business empire? It's unclear if this was intentional. But the very fact that people are reasonably speculating that it was, in fact, not a deliberate choice and more an accident of paperwork really underscores, once again, the famous stupidity of the former president's legal team. (That is when he can even convince people to represent him.)
Whatever the case, the trial in New York represents the biggest threat to Trump's identity, the foundation of which relied on the lie that Donald Trump is a successful businessman. It's a lie that fooled banks and insurers—as well as the American public. On that note, I leave you with this terrific examination of what exactly Trump Tower was in New York magazine today. I particularly enjoyed the outlandish rumor about Prince Charles and Princess Diana in there. A tower, literally and figuratively, built on lies.
—Inae Oh
