ELECTIONS

Trump trial sketches show a tearful Hope Hicks, indignant Stormy Daniels and 'Sleepy Don'

Former U.S. President Donald Trump smiles to the jury pool as he is introduced to them, at the beginning of his trial before Justice Juan Merchan over charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 15, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

Without a livestream into the courtroom hosting Donald Trump's hush money trial, the public must rely on reporters and court sketch artists to experience the historic proceedings.

While the court has opted to post transcripts and evidence online, some details, like Trump appearing to sleep, Judge Juan Merchan getting visibly upset over Stormy Daniels testimony, and Hope Hicks dabbing away a tear, make the proceedings more dramatic than they may seem on paper.

Trump is on trial for 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors are trying to convince the jury he covered up reimbursements to former lawyer Michael Cohen, who has been convicted of violated campaign finance law for paying Daniels $130,000 in 2016 to stay quiet about an alleged sexual encounter in 2006.

Friday concluded week four of the trial, which is expected to last at least two-to-three more weeks. Here is a peek into proceedings so far through the eyes of courtroom sketch artists:

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Was Donald Trump asleep in court?

Several times throughout the trial, Trump has kept his eyes closed for minutes at a time, and at one point his mouth went slack.

At least one sketch artist appeared to have captured him with his eyes closed.

Former President Donald Trump sits at the defense table beside his lawyer Emil Bove during jury selection in New York City, on April 16, 2024.

While President Joe Biden poked fun calling him "Sleepy Don," Trump has denied he sleeps in court.

"I don’t fall asleep during the Crooked D.A.’s Witch Hunt," Trump posted on Truth Social. "I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!!"

Jury selection

Former US President Donald Trump sits beside his lawyer Todd Blanche on the second day of jury selection in his criminal trial in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, New York, U.S., April 16, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

The first week of the trial was largely dedicated to jury selection, a tedious quest to find 12 people and a handful of alternates who could be impartial towards the former president.

The seated jury ended up being seven men and five women who are accomplished Manhattanites, including lawyers, teachers and other highly educated professionals.

In this courtroom sketch, former President Donald Trump far right, turns around and looks at prospective jurors who raised their hands requesting to be excused from the jury panel in Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, April 18, 2024, in New York.

The identity of the jurors are supposed to be kept anonymous, so the jurors faces are not shown in courtroom sketches.

Judge Juan Merchan presides as prosecutor Susan Hoffinger stands at the podium during jury selection of former U.S. President Donald Trump criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 19, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

Tabloid exec David Pecker was first witness to take the stand

Former U.S. President Donald Trump watches as David Pecker testifies during Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 25, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

David Pecker is the former CEO and president of American Media Inc., the parent company of tabloid National Enquirer.

He testified that the publication paid for and killed two stories that may have hurt Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, including Karen McDougal's alleged 2006 affair.

David Pecker is cross examined by Emil Bove during former U.S. President Donald Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 26, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

Hope Hicks gets emotional on the stand

Hope Hicks, a former top aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump, reacts while being cross examined by defense lawyer Emil Bove during Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. May 3, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

Hope Hicks was the Trump 2016 presidential campaign press secretary and later the communications director in Trump's White House starting in September 2017.

Her testimony was highly anticipated and brought a touch of drama when she teared up on the witness stand. She said Trump's standing with women was a concern in the campaign, especially once the "Access Hollywood" tape surfaced.

Hope Hicks, a former top aide to former U.S. President Donald Trump, testifies during Trump's criminal trial before Justice Juan Merchan on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. May 3, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

Stormy Daniels sketches had internet confused

Former U.S. President Donald Trump watches as Stormy Daniels is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger during Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. May 7, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

Stormy Daniels' time on the witness stand proved to be the most intense yet. Trump swore, the judge got angry and Daniels said she hated Trump on cross examination.

She still managed to testify on some intimate details about the evening she allegedly had sex with Trump, introducing spanking, golden manicure tools and silky pajamas into the trial for the former president.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump watches as Stormy Daniels is questioned by defense attorney Susan Necheles during Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S., May 9, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

But her testimony was besides the point for much of the internet, as many people pointed out that some sketches did not look like her.

Stormy Daniels is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger before Justice Juan Merchan during former U.S. President Donald Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. May 7, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.
Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump listens as his attorney Todd Blanche requests mistrial after Stormy Daniels direct testimony during Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. May 7, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

See sketches from other witnesses in Trump's hush money trial

Sketch artists have to move fast, as some witnesses only take the stand for less than an hour.

Rhona Graff testifies as former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 26, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.
Deborah Tarasoff, an employee in the Trump Organization’s accounting department, is questioned by prosecutor Christopher Conroy before Justice Juan Merchan during former U.S. President Donald Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. May 6, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump watches as lawyer Keith Davidson, who represented former Playboy model Karen McDougal, is cross examined by defense attorney Emil Bove during Trump's criminal trial before Justice Juan Merchan on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. May 2, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.

Contributing: Aysha Bagchi