Is this why Donald Trump looked so pissed in court today?

The MoJo Daily newsletter, Monday through Friday. [View in browser]( [Mother Jones Daily Newsletter](     October 2, 2023 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 Advertisement [The book, Hijacked is out now! Save 20% with code WORK20.]( [Top Story] [Top Story]( [Donald Trump, Stochastic Terrorist]( He demonizes his foes—and that makes them possible targets of violence. BY DAVID CORN SPONSORED CONTENT FROM HEIFER INTERNATIONAL   Match Alert - Your Gift Today Will Have 3X The Impact! Right now, every dollar you give to Heifer International will be MATCHED with Two more, which means 3X the children fed and 3X the impact! Your gift will give families around the world the resources, education, and opportunity to thrive. [Make a difference today!]( [Trending] [RFK Jr. aided by GOP and Trump PAC donors]( BY DAVID CORN   [Dianne Feinstein and the knife fight in the phone booth]( BY CLARA JEFFERY   [Is the Bronze Age Pervert going mainstream?]( BY ALI BRELAND   [Millions of people could live thanks to new access to tuberculosis medication]( BY RUTH MURAI Advertisement [The book, Hijacked is out now! Save 20% with code WORK20.]( [Special Feature] [Special Feature]( [Enough dairy subsidies! Plant milk is better for us and the planet.]( Cow juice is still cheaper—and your taxes keep it that way. BY JULIA MÉTRAUX [Fiercely Independent] Support from readers allows Mother Jones to do journalism that doesn't just follow the pack. [Donate]( 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