In a nation’s trial that has engaged the community with Donald Trump, portraying him as the norm was a moment that most people did not expect. The first day of this legacy trail, which started weeks ago today, saw him adopt a rather calm demeanour. When the former chief executive battled a series of charges on allegations about his unlawful coverup of an affair with another woman that came to light, which he had always lost due to his abusive and uncensored style of communication, however, his normal aggressiveness gave way to a listening attitude.
The harsh roar of the political protest that has become synonymous with Trump’s persona broke the silence across the Courthouse. Instead of barraging the judge with unethical accusations or one-sided answers, the unfathomably cold defendant would write small notes while the proceedings were taking place.
Whether they were political pundits, legal analysts and everyone in between, they were shocked by this contrast to Trump’s usual bombastic style, and considering that Trump may have been convinced by the severity of the charges and the evidence stacked against him, he decided to change his strategies. It is even argued that his counsellors informed him to refrain from the loose talk as they know that one such slip of the tongue can have a detrimental effect on a case, which may backfire and harm their case.
But on the other hand, it was not entirely unexpected for those familiar with Trump’s behaviour that he handled himself much more pleasantly than they have seen him in the past. Although he tended to blow off steam on multiple occasions during his controversial presidency, his maverick side was capable of toning the level of hate in the Oval Office from time to time—though not to the complete satisfaction of everyone involved.
As the trial progresses, the question remains: Does Trump seem to be looking through a pugnacious attitude or not? The trend of his stubbornness will surely make the courtroom like any other place he has visited before. Time will eventually tell when this newfound temperament is either a well-calculated tactic or sudden noise from the theatre of the American political world, which never remains stable.
