Donald Trump’s Family Skipping Court ‘Right’ Decision, Legal Analyst Says

Donald Trump’s family has yet to appear in court to support the former president during his “hush money” trial, a decision that could benefit him in the case, a legal analyst says.

The case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg concerns a payment to former adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election. Trump has denied her allegation that they had an affair and pleaded not guilty to all 34 charges of falsifying business records in connection with the payment. He also has accused Bragg of political persecution.

The third day of witness testimony began on Thursday, and, once again, Trump’s family wasn’t in the courtroom.

Former U.S. attorney and University of Michigan law professor Barbara McQuade told Newsweek that she believes Trump made the right decision in keeping his loved ones out of the courtroom.

“I think Trump is making the right decision to have no family in court. I think juries can see through the manipulative tactic of bringing family members to court as props to elicit their sympathy,” McQuade said. “A person who really loves their family would not subject them to the pain of listening to ugly accusations and evidence against him.”

Speculation has been swirling about the state of some of Trump’s relationships, primarily that with his wife, Melania. The former first lady has not taken an active role in Trump’s 2024 campaign, which appears poised to pit him again against President Joe Biden in November.

Newsweek reached out to Trump’s campaign by email for comment.

Former assistant U.S. attorney Gene Rossi told Newsweek that the Trump family’s presence at this trial probably wouldn’t be the deciding factor in the jury’s decision.

“It is sometimes helpful to have family there, but at the end of the day, their presence will probably not be a deciding factor in this particular case. If it’s close, there could be one to two jurors who may be slightly influenced subconsciously,” Rossi said.

“I respectfully disagree very slightly with professor McQuade,” he added when asked about McQuade’s comment. “If Trump’s family encamped there every day, a jury might think it is a strange tactic or stunt. But if family were in the court very sparingly, that would have a de minimis [effect] on the jury in this case.”

However, other law experts say that if the family showed their support publicly, it could have a beneficial influence on Trump’s trial.

“Jurors are very perceptive. They can see when a defendant has the support of family and friends, and when he is isolated from them,” Palm Beach State Attorney Dave Aronberg told Newsweek via X (formerly Twitter). “It doesn’t help Trump that he sits alone in the courthouse, except for his staff and Secret Service.”

“Family support is important, especially in a case where the allegations relate to an extramarital affair,” former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Newsweek. “It won’t make or break the case, but having no family there is a bad look for the former president.”