Political allies of former President Donald Trump, many of whom might be seeking future roles in his administration, have started to attend his New York hush money criminal trial, now in its fourth week. This move highlights how Trump is leveraging his mandatory court appearances to turn New York into a focal point for his campaign. On Tuesday, Trump’s former Republican rival turned supporter, Vivek Ramaswamy, is expected to accompany him in court, according to his spokesperson. This follows the presence of Republican Senators J.D. Vance and Tommy Tuberville, New York GOP Representative Nicole Malliotakis, and Republican state attorneys general Steve Marshall of Alabama and Brenna Bird of Iowa on Monday. Florida GOP Senator Rick Scott also attended court with Trump last week.
These appearances underscore the gag order placed on Trump, which prevents him from discussing potential witnesses, jurors, prosecutors, or court staff and their families. Trump has already violated this order ten times, prompting Judge Juan Merchan to warn him of possible jail time for any further violations. In response, lawmakers have begun to make statements on Trump’s behalf.
On Monday, Vance, who is seen as a possible vice-presidential pick for Trump, sought to discredit Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, who testified that day. “This guy is a convicted felon,” Vance remarked about Cohen outside the Manhattan courthouse. “Does any reasonable person believe anything Michael Cohen says?”
Vance added, “What the president is not allowed to say, which is outrageous, is that nearly everyone involved in this prosecution is essentially a Democratic political operative.” These remarks mirror Trump’s previous statements. Trump had earlier shared multiple articles attacking Judge Merchan’s daughter, a digital advertising consultant with Democratic clients, leading prosecutors to request and obtain an expanded gag order to include family members.
The presence of these allies also signifies loyalty as Trump navigates a long list of potential running mates, with no immediate plans to select a vice-presidential candidate. In an April interview with ABC affiliate WPVI, Trump stated, “I’m not in a hurry and we’ll decide sometime around the convention, but we have many great people in the Republican Party.”
Supporters have utilized their New York visits to make media appearances, reiterating Trump’s political and legal messages while he is in court. This also allows them to demonstrate their potential as running mates.
Vice-presidential hopefuls have joined Trump at his limited campaign events during court-free days and at various fundraisers. Last weekend, during a rally in Wildwood, New Jersey, Trump hinted at “something” with North Dakota GOP Governor Doug Burgum, who endorsed Trump after suspending his presidential bid last year. Burgum also spoke at the rally. “He made his money in technology, but probably knows more about energy than anyone I know, so get ready for something,” Trump said. “OK, just get ready. Doug Burgum has been incredible.”
In recent fundraising emails, Trump’s campaign has asked supporters who they want as his running mate, raising small-dollar donations from their curiosity, despite Trump’s repeated statements that he doesn’t plan to announce his choice until closer to the Republican National Convention this summer.
In the coming weeks, several vice-presidential hopefuls will join Trump at campaign fundraisers as he courts wealthy donors during his trial breaks. On Tuesday, Republican Senators Tim Scott and Marco Rubio, and GOP Governors Burgum and Kristi Noem of South Dakota are set to join Trump at a high-dollar fundraiser in Manhattan, hosted by billionaire financier Howard Lutnick. Other major Republican donors and fundraisers cohosting the event include former Trump ambassadors Duke Buchan and Woody Johnson, Seryl and Charles Kushner, billionaire John Paulson, and John Catsimatidis, the WABC owner who reportedly canceled Rudy Giuliani’s radio show over false election claims
On Wednesday, Vance will join Trump again at a luncheon fundraiser in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later that day, Trump will travel to Lexington, Kentucky, for a dinner fundraiser hosted by Joe Craft and former Ambassador Kelly Craft.
Though Trump is required to be in court on Thursday, on Friday, May 17—his day off to attend his son Barron’s graduation—Trump is set to headline a fundraiser in Minnesota for the state Republican Party’s Lincoln Reagan Dinner. These fundraisers come as Trump has publicly complained that his trial prevents him from traveling to battleground states. Nevertheless, he has spent most of his court-free days in closed-door meetings, holding only three campaign rallies since the trial began—two of which were on the same day.