A fatal blow to the Trump mystique

Plus, catch up on Day 7 of the Trump hush money trial in 60 seconds VIEW IN BROWSER MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Friday, Apr. 26, 2024 THE LATEST [Alternate text] [A lower Manhattan courtroom just dealt a fatal blow to the Trump mystique]( By Symone Sanders-Townsend On [opening night]( of the Republican National Convention in 2016, Donald Trump came out onstage like a pro wrestler, amid clouds from a smoke machine and dramatic shadows. It was the kind of image he likes to project of himself: grandiose and imposing, like the floating head of the Great and Powerful Oz ordering Dorothy to bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch. But eight years later, the real Trump has been revealed before the world in a courtroom in lower Manhattan. Whether he was sitting in the courtroom or standing outside of it amid bad fluorescent lighting, he looked small, diminished and the very opposite of presidential. And just as the Wizard of Oz tried desperately to distract Dorothy and her friends when he was revealed, Trump and his lawyers are trying hard to keep the public from looking at the man behind the curtain. This is a preview of Symone Sanders-Townsend's latest article. [Read the full column here](. For more thought-provoking insights from Symone Sanders-Townsend, Alicia Menendez, and Michael Steele, watch ["The Weekend"](every Saturday and Sunday at 8 a.m. ET on MSNBC.     TRUMP TRIAL RECAP [Alternate text] [KATIE PHANG]( [Day 7 of Trump's hush money trial in 60 seconds]( [WATCH NOW]( MORE STORIES [Alternate text] [CHARLIE SYKES]( [GOP voters in a crucial swing state just fired a clear warning shot in Trump's direction]( Another primary. Another Nikki Haley protest vote. Another warning for Trump. [Read more.]( [JA'HAN JONES]( [Jim Jordan is coming after Coca-Cola on behalf of Joe Rogan’s podcast]( It looks like we can add Coca-Cola (back) to the ever-changing carousel of quintessentially American companies targeted by Republicans for reprisals. [Read more.]( [HELAINE OLEN]( [Biden's FTC just exposed one of the GOP and businesses' biggest lies to workers]( Who would want to be against economic freedom, not to mention raises for America’s workers? [Read more.]( [CLARISSA-JAN LIM]( [Despite the impending TikTok ultimatum, Biden's campaign keeps on posting]( The potential TikTok ban has exposed deeply conflicting sentiments about the app between lawmakers and large portions of the public. [Read more.](     TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [THE BEAT WITH ARI]( [Ari Melber breaks down Trump's 'license to kill or coup' defense heard by the Supreme Court]( [WATCH NOW]( [DEADLINE WHITE HOUSE]( [Justices Thomas and Alito show their true colors in Trump Immunity arguments]( [WATCH NOW]( [KATY TUR]( ['Complete lack of remorse': Weissman breaks down David Pecker’s testimony]( [WATCH NOW]( [RACHEL MADDOW]( ['Genuinely shocking': Justices give presidential immunity case bad faith treatment]( [WATCH NOW]( MORE FROM MSNBC [Alternate text]     Tomorrow, President Joe Biden will attend the White House Correspondents' Dinner, hosted by comedian and SNL star Colin Jost. Join Ayman Mohyeldin for coverage of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, tomorrow beginning at 8 p.m. ET on MSNBC and streaming on Peacock.     On Sunday, watch "Commitment to Life." The feature documentary takes an intimate look back at the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles and the community that changed the course of the epidemic. Watch "Commitment to Life" on Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on MSNBC and streaming now on Peacock.     MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.](   Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)