TikTokers, a Lincoln Project Hat and a Media Frenzy: The Surreal Courthouse Scene as Trump Was Convicted

It was basically quiet outside the court building when Trump was convicted. But many there hoped the conviction makes a big noise.

A demonstrator reacts to the guilty verdict announced against former President Donald Trump outside Manhattan Criminal Court.
Demonstrators cheered Donald Trump’s guilty verdict outside the Manhattan Court. Julia Nikhinson/AP

NEW YORK – The weather outside the Manhattan Criminal Court building Thursday afternoon was sunny with a chance of earth-shattering.

In one corner of Collect Pond Park, the closest gathering place the general public could get to the building where former President Donald Trump became the first person with that title to become a convicted felon, it was silent in the moments before the verdict was announced. The smattering of real people who came to witness history were mostly looking at their phones or waiting for someone to tell them what was happening across the throngs of TV live-shot sites set up on the sidewalk between the park and the court.

A correspondent from the syndicated tabloid show “Inside Edition” ended up being the reporter of record for this little crowd.