Trump Supporters Largely Absent from Protests During His New York Criminal Trial

Despite former President Donald Trump's repeated appeals for his supporters to demonstrate outside the Manhattan courthouse where he is facing a criminal trial, the turnout of MAGA protesters has been surprisingly low. Trump has taken to social media to boost the numbers of his supporters at the protests, but his efforts have largely fallen flat.

The Morning Joe panel discussed the lack of participation by Trump's supporters, with Trump himself suggesting that the poor turnout was the result of a plot against his supporters. However, reporters on the scene have disputed Trump's claims that the area around the courthouse is an "armed camp" and that people are being "turned away." Videos and eyewitness accounts show that the streets remain open to traffic and the public.

Trump has offered various excuses for the absence of large crowds, including false claims that New York City is a "war zone" with "violent criminals" roaming free. In reality, crime rates in the city are down from pandemic-related spikes. Experts suggest that the lack of a massive pro-Trump presence outside the courthouse indicates that his supporters are not as eager to risk injury, prison, or even death just because Trump orders it.

Why this matters: The low turnout of Trump supporters at the protests raises questions about the intensity and durability of the MAGA movement. It suggests that even Trump's most ardent followers may be unwilling to riot in the streets on his behalf as he faces possible legal accountability.

Polling data hints that support for the MAGA movement may be starting to wane. As one observer noted, "The wind is starting to seep out of the MAGA movement, and Trump's supporters are not willing to risk injury or prison just because he commands it, especially since he hasn't given them a reason to show up." The absence of chaos and unrest that right-wing media figures had tried to generate in sympathy for Trump underscores that if MAGA lashes out, it will likely be for their own interests, not for the former president himself.

Key Takeaways

• Trump's calls for MAGA supporters to protest his trial have seen surprisingly low turnout.
• Trump claims of an "armed camp" and people being "turned away" are disputed by on-site reports.
• Experts suggest MAGA supporters are unwilling to risk injury or prison for Trump's orders.
• The lack of a massive pro-Trump presence raises questions about the MAGA movement's intensity.
• The absence of chaos underscores that MAGA may lash out for their own interests, not Trump's.