Trump's fans aren't showing up to court

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Support our nonprofit journalism]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     May 22, 2024 Donald Trump cannot stop complaining. His latest frustration? That "they"—that is, whichever deep state entity he believes is currently out to get him—are preventing his supporters from coming to the Manhattan courthouse where he is [currently ensnared in his first criminal trial](. “There’s not a civilian within three blocks of the courthouse, but at Columbia University they can set up a tent and burn down the doors right opposite the front entrance," he told reporters, continuing his tradition of exaggeration and straight-up lies. "It’s a disgrace.” But as my colleague [Russ Choma elegantly points out](: There's no conspiracy to prevent Trump supporters from showing up to support him at court. They're just, for the most part, not really coming. (Except that guy who paid for courtroom seats from someone else who arrived early to snag them, according to Russ' dispatch.) As Russ writes: In fact, on some days when I’ve attended the trial, there didn’t appear to be any Trump supporters outside the courthouse. And while there are indeed quite a few police officers, including officers assigned from other nearby courthouses, the area is not locked down like Fort Knox. And don't hold me to this, but I don't think one could seriously claim that any three-block radius of Manhattan has been deserted since we were in peak pandemic times. [Read Russ' full piece]( to get the full picture of the scene—which seems to have had far fewer MAGA hats than Trump and his acolytes would like to admit. —Julianne McShane Advertisement [Bay Area Book Festival]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [No, Trump Supporters Are Not Being Kept From the Courthouse]( Despite what the former president claims, there's nothing stopping his fans from showing up for his Manhattan trial. But few do. BY RUSS CHOMA MOTHER JONES MEMBERSHIP UPDATE   How about something different? That’s how we’ve been thinking about things lately, because when it comes to democracy and journalism, two things we care deeply about, crisis has become [the new normal](, and it’s time to try doing something new. We merged with the Center for Investigative Reporting. It’s such a [strong pairing](, and it’s been inspiring. So instead of all the doom and gloom in the news these days, and thanks to a reader’s comment, we’re focusing on our real sense of optimism as we kick off our first big push [for the donations we need]( since taking that exciting, but also kind of scary, step forward. There’s more in “[Less Dreading, More Doing](,” but if you just want to feel the excitement like we do, here’s video correspondent Garrison Hayes in a video from late last year that we’re just now sharing widely. And here’s [a link to pitch in]( if you can. [Donate]( [Trending] [Feds say MAGA-aligned mogul had “opportunity and motive to start” apartment fire]( BY DAN FRIEDMAN   [Trump’s social media company just keeps losing money]( BY RUSS CHOMA   [A Chinese mogul with deep MAGA ties is going on trial for massive fraud]( BY DAN FRIEDMAN   [Utilities enlist respected nonprofit in a “cynical PR stunt” to boost gas use]( BY DHARNA NOOR Advertisement [Bay Area Book Festival]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [Under Glenn Youngkin, parole in Virginia has nearly vanished]( “What’s the point of having a second chance available when you’re not willing to give it?” BY ISABELA DIAS Did you enjoy this newsletter? Help us out by [forwarding]( it to a friend or sharing it on [Facebook]( and [Twitter](. [Mother Jones]( [Donate]( [Donate Monthly]( [Subscribe]( This message was sent to {EMAIL}. To change the messages you receive from us, you can [edit your email preferences]( or [unsubscribe from all mailings.]( For advertising opportunities see our online [media kit.]( Were you forwarded this email? [Sign up for Mother Jones' newsletters today.]( [www.MotherJones.com]( PO Box 8539, Big Sandy, TX 75755