During a break from his court proceedings, Donald J. Trump embarked on a trip to Michigan and Wisconsin on Wednesday to hold campaign rallies in front of enthusiastic crowds. Upon his return to a Lower Manhattan courthouse on Thursday, only one supporter, Lily Qi, stood outside waving a Trump 2024 flag.
Expressing her unwavering support for Trump, Lily Qi, a 62-year-old from Wilmington, Del., stated, “I don’t feel lonely because my heart is with Trump,” as she stood in the park across from the New York City Criminal Court. Qi, who traveled by train to New York City and is staying with friends due to financial constraints, emphasized her dedication to attending numerous Trump rallies.
By 9 a.m. on Thursday, Qi was joined by two demonstrators wearing T-shirts depicting a cartoon of Mr. Trump in jail. Referring to them as “troublemakers,” she expressed her disapproval.
Among the protesters was Barrett Cobb, who held a sign reading “Jail Trump.”
Expressing her frustration, Ms. Cobb, a classical musician residing in Manhattan, stated, “I’m extremely upset they haven’t put him in jail yet.”
Since the commencement of the hush-money trial, Mr. Trump has voiced his dissatisfaction with the restrictions placed on his supporters near the courthouse steps. Security measures, including barricades, have been implemented by the police.
During his visit to the courthouse on Tuesday, Mr. Trump was accompanied by his son Eric Trump, marking the first time a family member attended the trial in person.
