Donald Trump Courtroom Sketches Over Time

Courtroom sketches of Donald Trump have captured attention as the former president appeared in a New York City courtroom this week for the start of his hush money trial.

The jury selection process in the criminal trial began on Monday in the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, which concerns a payment to former adult film star Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. Trump has denied her allegation that they had an affair and pleaded not guilty to all 34 charges of falsifying business records in connection with the payment. He also has accused Bragg of political persecution.

Several courtroom sketches provide an inside look at the proceedings, as no cameras are permitted. Sketches of Trump have drawn attention over the past several months as he has appeared in courtrooms for multiple cases against him.

Courtroom sketches of Trump have changed over time, depending on which artist draws the image. The drawings have generated jokes and memes directed at the former president, who is the presumptive GOP nominee in the upcoming presidential election. They also have led to criticism of the artists from Trump staff and supporters.

Newsweek reached out to Trump’s campaign by email for comment.

Some recent sketches that have gone viral were produced in connection with Trump’s classified documents case, the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial, the hush money trial and the New York state civil fraud trial.

August 2023, Classified Documents Case

Last August, artist Jane Rosenberg depicted Trump sitting next to his attorney Todd Blanche, with special counsel Jack Smith seated nearby. The appearance was in regard to the federal case that accuses Trump of improperly stored classified documents at his Florida estate.

November 2023: New York Civil Fraud Trial

Last November, an illustration of Trump taking the witness stand during his New York civil fraud trial brought criticism against the artist, Elizabeth Williams.

Judge Arthur Engoron had previously found Trump, his adult sons Donald Jr. and Eric and the Trump Organization liable for inflating the value of Trump’s assets to obtain loans and better business deals. During the trial to determine a financial penalty, Williams depicted Trump on the witness stand, holding up his hands while being questioned.

Trump’s former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany described the image as a “travesty” that didn’t look like Trump at all. But at the time, Williams told Newsweek that she was familiar with such criticism.

“This dumping on court artists has now become part of our business. I am getting used to it,” she said.

January 2024, E. Jean Carroll Defamation Trial

When Trump appeared in court for the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial in January, jokes likened his courtroom sketch to the Grinch, a Dr. Seuss character.

Christine Cornell, an artist who has done courtroom sketches for more than 30 years, drew some of the images of Trump in the courtroom that day. Artist Bill Hennessy depicted Trump during his “not guilty” plea. Both sketches drew mockery.

April 2024, Stormy Daniels Case

One of the most recent sketches of Trump was drawn by Cornell. It shows Trump wearing a blue suit and red tie and accompanied by his legal team, with Judge Juan Merchan sitting on the bench.

Sketches by other artists also depicted what was going on behind the court’s closed doors. Rosenberg’s rendering depicted Trump conferring with attorney Blanche.

Rosenberg also drew a sketch of Trump facing prospective jurors, with what some said was a “smirk” on his face.

Earlier this month, an image of Trump appearing for a pretrial hearing in the case prompted jokes and mockery aimed at the former president. Rosenberg drew that illustration. Rosenberg also depicted Trump during his arraignment in the same case.