Rachel Maddow apologized to journalists sitting near her at Donald Trump’s trial Monday in Manhattan after she “snorted out loud” when prosecutors revealed that one of the former president’s advisors had physically written down the very hush-money reimbursement plan that the jury is considering for criminal charges.
Maddow was in the cramped, dingy courtroom on Monday for opening statements and the first day of witness testimony. Though the day was mostly routine and fireworks-free, Maddow said one moment in the prosecution’s presentation caused her involuntary response.
“I’m sorry to the journalists who were sitting immediately next to me,” Maddow said, “because I unintentionally snorted out loud.”
The moment came when prosecutor Matthew Colengelo revealed that Trump ally Allen Weisselberg “wrote everything down” when he met with attorney Michael Cohen to negotiate a reimbursement plan for a hush-money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Maddow added some other colorful details from inside the infamously low-rent courtroom.
“I can report firsthand that the courtroom smells like old soup and stale breath,” Maddow said. “I can report that the police officers who police the courtroom are working very hard and they appear to be very stressed.”