What’s a circus without a few clowns?
Former President Donald Trump’s indictment stemming from a hush-money payoff to porn star Stormy Daniels brought out hundreds of pro- and anti-Trump supporters and scores of media, turning a large swath of Manhattan into a three-ring roadshow.
Here are highlights of today’s antics:
Before his historic trip from Trump Tower to Manhattan Criminal Court, Trump’s drive down the FDR Drive was preceded by a presidential impersonator who was seen riding in the back of a Cadillac, sending reporters into a tizzy.
Reporters and photographers spotted the impersonator outside of Trump Tower and quickly approached him, only to realize he was a fake.
About an hour later, the same impersonator, this time flanked by faux Secret Service agents, was spotted rolling past Worth and Centre Sts., about a block from Manhattan Criminal Court.
The Cadillac was followed by a pick-up truck adorned with Trump flags.
A mugshot wasn’t taken but that didn’t stop Trump’s re-election team from making one — and slapping it on a T-shirt.
While Trump awaited a reading of charges in Manhattan Criminal Court, his 2024 campaign sent out an email blast offering a T-shirt with a mocked-up mug shot for $47.
“Do you stand with President Trump, friend?” the pitch from his campaign asked. “Please make a contribution of $47 or more to WIN in 2024 and we’ll send you your very own ‘Not Guilty’ T-shirt for free.”
Before his trip to Manhattan Criminal Court, Trump demanded a change of venue to Staten Island.
He called Manhattan a “very unfair venue!” because a number of neighborhoods voted overwhelmingly for President Biden.
“Some areas voted 1% Republican,” he posted on his social media site.
He instead touted the bridge-and-ferry borough as a better spot for his fate to be determined.
For decades, no one ever expected to see a former U.S. president hauled into court to face criminal charges — including the one about to be indicted in Manhattan Criminal Court.
“Seems so surreal — WOW, they are going to arrest me,” Trump wrote on Truth Social as his SUV made its way down the FDR Drive. “Can’t believe this is happening in America.”
Support he received from fellow Republicans also had a tinge of unreality.
The only two elected officials to come out and support Trump were Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Georgia) and George Santos (R-Long Island), who both left after about 10 minutes.
Greene was shouted down by counter protesters. Santos, in turn, was cussed at by one protestor before he left without saying a word.
There were slightly more pro-Trump protesters than anti-Trump protesters, but the anti-Trump contingent had more volume, thanks to one anti-Trumper banging on a drum.
While America’s eyes were glued to lower Manhattan Tuesday, President Biden didn’t pay much attention to his predecessor’s day in court.
Biden’s spokeswoman insisted he’s got getter things to do than follow every step of Trump’s arrest and arraignment.
“The president is going to focus on the American people, like he does every day,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at her daily press briefing. “This is not something that’s a focus for him.”