Judge Engoron cuts off Donald Trump and shuts him down

Donald Trump still seems to think he’s in charge of things. But as he gets dragged further into the legal system, he keeps being reminded that this is not the case. Courtrooms aren’t his narcissistic rallies. Trials aren’t political theater.

To that end, Trump asked if he could speak at this trial today. Judge Arthur Engoron said yes, but only if Trump stuck to the facts of the case. Trump then proceeded to go on a bender about “election interference.” The judge asked Trump’s attorneys to control their client, but Trump continued, so the judge cut him off and shut him down.

Some will argue that this was all part of Trump’s master plan. But in reality, this is not going to open up an avenue for Trump to stage an appeal. The judge tried to oblige Trump’s request as much as reasonably possible, and it was Trump who screwed up the opportunity.

So no, this isn’t going to help Trump. All we’re really seeing here is Donald Trump losing, again and again, both because he’s backed into a corner and because he can’t grasp the fact that he is in fact cornered. The clown thinks he’s President of the United States, or a CEO, or a TV star. But in reality he’s just a defendant in a courtroom. And that reality is going to keep slapping him in the face.