While the world feasts over Trump trial, New Yorkers are sick of the circus that they say is killing business and turning courthouse into a tourist trap

As the world’s media gathered outside the Manhattan courthouse ahead of the opening arguments in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, one New Yorker summed up the growing mood among many:

“I don’t care,” the young woman said, shaking off questions about what it felt like to witness history.

She was dragged to the spectacle by a visiting friend from California, for whom the novelty of seeing a former president talk about an alleged affair with a porn star still fascinates.

While everyone else is enraptured by the legal wrangling surrounding the world’s greatest showman, the city that never sleeps grows tired of its constant circus – and wishes it would move to another city.

Monday marked the first time a court heard legal arguments in a criminal trial against a current or former U.S. president.

But Trump’s appearances in Manhattan courthouses are increasing.

Trump speaks to the media after the first day of opening arguments in his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court for falsifying documents related to hush money payments

Abul Azad, who runs a kiosk at the corner of Center Street and White Street on the northeast side of the courthouse, said sales have fallen by more than half in the past week as customers were blocked

He has already been sentenced in two civil cases in New York – for fraud and assault – and the crowd that showed up to see him today was nothing compared to those who flocked to his arraignment last April.

Last week, the scene in and around 100 Center Street, the main criminal court building, was one of chaos.

Prospective jurors were vetted and dismissed into a crowd of MAGA supporters and police officers in tactical gear.

On Friday, protester Max Azzarello, 37, died after setting himself on fire in Collect Pond Park, right outside the courthouse.

Now fatigue is setting in.

This morning, the police far outnumbered the veteran demonstrators.

Area businesses lamented declining sales as roadblocks hampered foot traffic to hot dog vendors and kiosks.

Abul Azad, who runs a kiosk at the corner of Center and White streets on the northeast side of the courthouse, said sales have fallen by more than half in the past week as customers were blocked.

They’ve seen it all before.

“I hate to say this, but in New York it’s not that big of a deal,” said John Costigan, 63, a retired cop who had stopped by from his apartment in Battery Park City to watch the action unfold.

“This city is bigger than Trump. I was working on the streets when ‘Puff Daddy’ [Sean Combs] was on trial [in 2001, when the rapper was acquitted of toting an illegal handgun into a crowded Manhattan hip-hop club].

“This is a little bump in the road here.”

Former President Donald Trump returns to Trump Tower from Manhattan Criminal Court on April 22, 2024 in New York City

John Costigan, a retired New York cop, said the trial was “not as big of a deal” for New Yorkers as it was for the rest of the world, as citizens of the Big Apple had seen it all before

“Pray for Trumpy” is written on a sidewalk outside the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse

Costigan had struck up a conversation with Rodney, 63, and Nicole Cole, 57, a couple on vacation from Australia, who had decided that the commotion in the downtown courthouse was what they wanted to see above all the other Big Apple attractions during this beautiful spring. morning.

They admitted to being ‘disappointed’.

Others had also come from far and wide. There was Flo and Alex Stone, from Bristol, England, hoping to catch a glimpse of Trump himself, and a couple from Finland.

Another New Yorker had reluctantly agreed to take her friend from Copenhagen, Denmark, to the latest episode of New York v. Donald J. Trump.

But the pair left shortly after 9:30 a.m., realizing there was little to see other than a dozen media crews, bored-looking officers and the handful of eccentric protesters.

What did they expect?

To be sure, there was little of the terrifying drama that unfolded here on Friday.

No signs of that horrific blaze remained – apart from a slight increase in security – as the crowd continued to mingle at the spot where Azzarello had set himself on fire just days before.

Today, the few demonstrators present were divided into pro- and anti-Trump camps.

But there was a moving moment between two lifelong New Yorkers from opposite sides of the political divide, coming together in unity.

Pro-Trump protester Vinny L was among a dwindling number of demonstrators who appeared in court Monday as opening arguments were heard

Vinny was joined by Richie S, who admitted he hated Trump and wanted him held accountable, but the two were able to come together in a show of unity among New Yorkers.

Richie S, 73, and Vinny L, 62, [who declined to give surnames] had both made the short boat ride from Staten Island to the courthouse.

The pair, who did not know each other, chatted amicably despite Richie admitting he “hated” Trump, while Vinny believed the trial was a case of “government excess.”

Last week’s jury selection exposed the deep fractures in American society — and how difficult it could prove to be to find a dozen New Yorkers who had not yet made a final judgment about Trump’s guilt or innocence.

But as Staten Islanders engaged in a lively debate over the issue, Richie said he was “overwhelmed with joy” that he had at least been able to have a civil conversation with someone on the other side of the fence.

Does this show that New Yorkers can put aside their prejudices and give the most divisive man in the world a fair trial?

Richie is waiting to pass judgment for the time being.

“You just have to hope that people do the right thing,” he said.