'Psychological torture': VP contender JD Vance slams Trump's hush money trial from court
Republican senator and vice president contender J.D. Vance joined former president Donald Trump at his hush money trial Monday.
Trump is on trial for 34 counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors say he covered up reimbursements to his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 in 2016 to stay quiet about a sexual encounter with Trump that allegedly happened a decade earlier.
The Ohio senator walked into the courthouse with along with Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., Eric Trump, and Donald Trump as he returned to the Manhattan courthouse for the fifth week of this trial.
Vance isn't the first Republican heavy-hitter to appear at the Trump's side in trial: Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas, and Dave McIntosh, leader of the anti-tax Club for Growth have also attended to support the former president.
Trump trial live updates: Latest updates as Michael Cohen returns as hush money witness
Vance says trial is 'psychological torture,' attacks Cohen's credibility
At Trump trial today. Some observations:
1) we started in Trump Tower with a beautiful view of Central Park. Then you come to a dingy court house with people like Alvin Bragg. They prevent his supporters from getting too close to the court house, and they prevent his friends…— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) May 13, 2024
Vance appears to be on the short list for vice presidential candidates, after joining a group of six leaders at a recent Republican donor retreat.
He has been outspoken about defending Trump in his four criminal cases. Taking a front row seat to proceedings seems to have given Vance fodder for more criticism.
Posting on X Monday morning, Vance bemoaned the atmosphere of the "dingy" courthouse compared to Trump Tower near Central Park.
"The president is expected to sit here for six weeks to listen to the Michael Cohens of the world," the post states. "I’m now convinced the main goal of this trial is psychological torture. But Trump is in great spirits."
Vance also took jabs at Cohen's memory and defended Trump for appearing to fall asleep several times throughout the trial.
"I’m 39 years old and I’ve been here for 26 minutes and I’m about to fall asleep," Vance said on X.
Who is J.D. Vance?
J.D. Vance is a first term Republican U.S. Senator from Ohio. Before his 2022 election, he ran a venture-capital firm and wrote the 2016 memoir "Hillbilly Elegy."
In 2016, Vance described himself as a "never Trump guy." He called Trump "noxious, "reprehensible" and "an idiot."
Vance has more recently become an ally of Trump's and Trump endorsed Vance in his Senate race. Vance is also reportedly close with Donald Trump Jr.
As of late April, Vance said he had not spoken to Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, about being his vice president.
Other potential V.P. contenders include: Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C.; Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.; South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem; and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
Contributing: John Kennedy, Karissa Waddick
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JD Vance, Ohio Senator and VP contender, joins Trump at hush money trial
