Former President Donald Trump’s supporters faced loud protests outside his trial related to hush money payments to a porn star. As Trump allies like Kash Patel attempted to speak in defense of the former president outside the courthouse, protestors shouted comments like “Stop kissing ass” and disrupted the proceedings with whistles and cowbells.
Investigative journalist Jacqueline Sweet captured the scene on tape, showing Trump surrogates speaking in front of a sign that read “Bootlickers.” NY Magazine’s Olivia Nuzzi also filmed the event, noting that protestors heckled Patel, yelling, “Kash Patel, go to Hell!”
Kash Patel has been a controversial figure in U.S. politics, particularly for his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and support Trump’s agenda. Elevated to chief of staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller in late 2020, Patel’s actions drew criticism from those who viewed them as undermining democratic norms.
The trial drew attention from House Republicans, including Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, who attended in support of Trump. However, their presence raised eyebrows and drew criticism from figures like Rep. Liz Cheney and Sen. Mitt Romney, who questioned the moral implications of supporting a former president on trial for hush money payments to a porn star. Romney characterized the display as “demeaning” and “embarrassing,” emphasizing the importance of maintaining dignity and decorum in political proceedings.
Hard to hear anyone speaking over the hecklers and cowbells pic.twitter.com/RoLZVmEJyG
— Jacqueline Sweet (@JSweetLI) May 20, 2024
