Donald Trump Jr. took the stand during the New York fraud trial related to his family’s business and engaged in a lighthearted interaction with the courtroom sketch artist, Jane Rosenberg. She claimed that after testifying, Trump Jr. requested that she create a courtroom portrait that would make him appear “sexy.”
The incident occurred on the same day as his brother Eric Trump’s testimony in the trial. Jane Rosenberg, working on assignment for Reuters, stated that Trump Jr. paused to banter with her after his testimony. During their conversation, he asked for a portrait that would enhance his appearance.
In explaining his request, Trump Jr. pointed to a recent viral courtroom drawing of Sam Bankman-Fried, a former cryptocurrency CEO. According to him, the drawing, which was not done by Jane Rosenberg, made Bankman-Fried look like a “superstar.” However, Rosenberg disagreed, stating that the viral drawing did not resemble Bankman-Fried or any person present in the courtroom.
Users on X, formerly known as Twitter, contributed context to the viral image, clarifying that it was “not an actual courtroom sketch of Bankman-Fried.” This misinformation was addressed after the image circulated online.
On the same day, Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of FTX, faced a guilty verdict on charges including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud.
Concurrently, the Trump family is confronting a lawsuit initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump family’s business manipulated the valuation of its assets, resulting in tax benefits and improved insurance coverage.
During their testimonies on Thursday, both Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump denied involvement in their father’s financial statements. Donald Trump Jr. emphasized his role as a trustee, stating that he had an obligation to listen to those with expertise in financial matters.
The trial is one of several legal challenges faced by the former President Donald Trump as he considers a bid for the 2024 presidential election.
