Former President Donald Trump’s son Donald Trump, Jr., made his first appearance at his father’s criminal trial on Tuesday. He joined his brother Eric Trump, marking a rare family presence at the trial. As testimony has ramped up, the ex-president has brought a rotating entourage of allies to the courthouse.
Trump has enlisted several politicians to attend the trial during key testimonies from individuals such as former attorney Michael Cohen and adult film star Stormy Daniels. According to The New York Times, Trump’s advisers have been organizing these supporters to uplift Trump and speak out against the case, especially since Trump is barred from speaking against witnesses due to a gag order.
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) was the first major GOP official to accompany Trump to court during Daniels’ testimony on May 9. Sens. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) and JD Vance (R-Ohio) attended the first day of Cohen’s testimony, while House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) appeared at the courthouse on May 14, although he reportedly did not enter the courtroom. In total, approximately 25 members of Congress, including Reps. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), have attended the trial at various times.
Other notable attendees include former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, and former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. Trump allies such as attorney Alan Dershowitz, former Trump administration intelligence official Kash Patel, comedian Joe Piscopo, former Trump advisor Sebastian Gorka, and Chuck Zito, an actor and former leader of Hells Angels in New York, have also shown their support by attending the trial.
Eric Trump is the only one of the ex-president’s children who has been regularly present during the trial, frequently attending court sessions and criticizing the trial on social media. His wife, Lara Trump, attended on May 14, and Donald Trump, Jr. appeared in court on Tuesday. Notably absent are Ivanka Trump and Melania Trump, who have yet to make an appearance.
Several Trump advisors and attorneys have also been present at the trial beyond his formal defense team. This includes attorney Alina Habba, who is not representing Trump in this case, and advisors Boris Epshteyn and Jason Miller. Andrew Giuliani, son of ex-Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, has also been a regular presence at the trial.
The consistent absence of Ivanka and Melania Trump has been notable, with legal experts pointing out that criminal defendants typically have more family members present during their trials.
