Opening Day Of Donald Trump Civil Fraud Trial Gives A Glimpse Of How Networks May Cover Camera-Less Criminal Proceedings
02.10.2023 - 18:43
/ deadline.com
Donald Trump‘s civil fraud trial started in New York on Monday, with the former president trying to fill the void left by a prohibition on cameras in the proceedings.
Before heading into the courtroom in the morning, he spoke to the media just outside the courtroom, attacking Attorney General Letitia James‘ case and bashing the judge, Arthur Engoron. After a lunchtime break, Trump gave another angry statement just after he exited. And he did so again while heading back in. “I want to watch this witch hunt myself,” he said.
Fox News carried portions of his remarks live, while CNN and MSNBC used them sparingly, often with correspondents talking over visuals of Trump speaking to reporters. CNN did do a fact check, while MSNBC ran a box in the bottom right hand screen of the courtroom door.
The coverage gave a glimpse of how the networks may treat Trump’s criminal trials, including those in courts that have long barred cameras or audio. The former president and Celebrity Apprentice host seemed determined to have his remarks dominate coverage, given the lack of visuals or audio from the courtroom, but some of the networks have been reluctant to carry his statements given his penchant for spreading. misinformation.
A coalition of news organizations last week appealed to the judge to allow camera access to the opening and closing statements in the trial, but Engoron permitted merely a brief camera spray that showed Trump sitting at the defense table, with James in the gallery first row just a few steps away. Engoron himself noted the presence of the cameras as he took off his glasses and smiled for a brief moment.
That left reporters to convey to viewers, at moments throughout the morning, what was happening inside the