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Poor little Donnie is cold! Looks like Donald Trump is suffering in a way that millions of women know all too well — he’s uncomfortably cold. The former president complained that the temperature in the New York courtroom where he’s facing criminal charges related to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels is too cold — “freezing” — for his comfort.
On behalf of the kind of woman that keeps a space heater at her desk, let me share with Donald the advice we’ve heard a million times: maybe you should wear a sweater, sweetie.
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But Judge Juan Merchan, the keeper of the thermostat, was more sympathetic. When Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, asked to turn up the heat even “just one degree” the judge said the HVAC system would overreact leaving them with a Sophie’s Choice of temperature control.
“It is cold, there’s no question it is cold, but I’d rather be a little cold than sweaty, and really those are the choices,” said the judge, according to a pool report. “I agree with you it’s chilly, no question.”
But chin up Donald! You’ll be more comfortable at your *next* criminal trial. Kyle Cheney reports Tanya Chutkan, the federal judge overseeing the January 6th case against the former president, keeps her courtroom warmer.
Chutkan, a Jamaica native, told prospective jurors in a trial last year that she keeps her courtroom warm because she’s a “tropical person” and doesn’t understand judges who like frigid temps.
“I am told there are judges who believe it keeps everyone awake,” Chutkan said.
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Oh. Well then. Maybe Trump should be thankful for the chilly courtroom — he doesn’t want to risk the reappearance of Sleepy Don, after all.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @[email protected].