Two weeks ago, after reports noted that former President Donald Trump didn’t have much family or support at his criminal trial, his son Eric showed up in New York to watch the proceedings. Since then, the courtroom has turned into a parade of people, some well-known and others less familiar, showing their support for Trump.
These supporters, called Trump’s “surrogates,” seem to have taken on a bigger role — one that might even cross legal lines.
It looks like Trump and his team have decided that if the court won’t let him campaign outside, they’ll turn the courtroom into part of his campaign. This might explain why in the last days of the trial, many Trump supporters, like Senators JD Vance and Tommy Tuberville, Representatives like Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert, and even former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, were seen attending the trial.
Unlike regular spectators, Trump’s surrogates are not just sitting quietly and observing. Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, claimed in court that they’re just “members of the public” whom Trump can’t control. However, based on what happens in the courtroom, it’s clear that they are much more than that.
How Trump’s Surrogates Get Special Treatment
Regular people who want to attend the trial have to line up early, sometimes overnight, just to get a seat. They go through multiple security checks and sit in separate courtrooms, often unable to see Trump in person.
Trump’s supporters, on the other hand, arrive with him in his motorcade. They use a private entrance, avoid the public lines, and enter areas that regular spectators can’t access. Once inside, they sit in special seats reserved for Trump’s team, right at the front of the courtroom.
Breaking Courtroom Rules
While regular attendees can’t use phones or take pictures in court — under threat of being removed — Trump’s surrogates are often seen using their phones, even tweeting about the trial in real time. This could violate Trump’s gag order, especially if their tweets are connected to him. One of Trump’s supporters even admitted that part of their goal is to help Trump get around the gag order.
Witness Intimidation
Witnesses in the trial, like Michael Cohen, enter the courtroom through a private side door for safety. However, they have to walk right past Trump’s supporters in the front row, where they may feel intimidated by the group’s presence. For example, Cohen had to walk by Eric Trump, Lara Trump, and other vocal Trump allies who have publicly criticized him.
The Bigger Picture
From their special access to their behavior in court, it’s hard to see Trump’s surrogates as regular members of the public. Instead, it looks like a coordinated effort to influence the trial and possibly intimidate witnesses. Regular spectators don’t get this kind of treatment, and their actions show they’re not just there to watch quietly.