Speaker Johnson Calls Trump's Hush Money Trial a 'Sham' During Courthouse Visit

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) appeared in New York on Tuesday in support of Donald Trump as the former president stands trial for fraud.

For Context: Trump is facing trial in New York, where he’s accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments. Trump’s former ‘fixer’ Michael Cohen took the stand to testify on Monday. Other high-profile Republican politicians, including Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), were present at the courthouse on Monday in support of Trump.

Key Quotes: Johnson said, “This is the fifth week that President Trump has been in court for this sham of a trial. They are doing this intentionally to keep him here and keep him off of the campaign trail.” Regarding Cohen’s testimony, Johnson said, “This is a man who is clearly on a mission for personal revenge. He is someone who has a history of perjury. No one should believe a word he says in there.”

How the Media Covered It: The New York Times (Lean Left bias) said it was “striking to watch the speaker of the House, second in line to the presidency in a crisis, stooping to overheated language more familiar at MAGA rallies, call a trial in an American court — and by extension, the judicial system itself — a ‘sham’ and political theater.” The Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) noted that Johnson was “cashing in” on the trial by sending out a fundraising email after he spoke to reporters at the courthouse.