Trump Accuses ‘Freezing’ Court of Being Deliberately Cold

Former President Donald Trump suggested on Friday as he headed into the chilly courtroom for his ongoing trial proceedings in New York that the temperature had been deliberately kept low. This is not the first time Trump has complained about the cold, but it’s the first instance where he shifted blame onto others. “We have another day in court at a freezing courthouse,” said Trump. He continued by stating, “It’s very cold in there, on purpose, I believe. They don’t seem to be able to get the temperature up. It shouldn’t be that complicated.” Before criticizing the chilly conditions, Trump wished Melania Trump a happy 54th birthday and finished his remarks with an accusation of rigging against the trial itself. Judge Juan Merchan has previously commented on the cold temperatures in court, stating that if it were adjusted, “it would go up about 30 degrees,” which he did not prefer. During last week’s proceedings, Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked Merchan to raise the temperature because others besides Donald in the room seemed affected by the low thermostat as well. It is unclear whether Trump was accusing anyone specific of lowering the temperature; judges are known for cooling courtroom temperatures deliberately so that everyone stays alert throughout trials’ duration, and New York Magazine’s Olivia Nuzzi revealed during her podcast last week that on the first day of this trial when Donald allegedly fell asleep, it was warmer in the room. In contrast to Judge Merchan’s chilly preferences, U.S District Judge Tanya Chutkan presiding over Trump’s criminal case regarding his attempts to subvert the 2020 election expressed a preference for warmer temperatures during last year’s trial. Given that Trump is keen on avoiding any appearance in this latter courtroom as soon as possible and given how Judge Chuttan anticipated another postponement in that other potential Trump felony indictment, she may not be able to help him out anytime soon either.