Trump pleaded not guilty Thursday
A seemingly casual greeting to the former president of the United States; it set social media abuzz Thursday when a judge, presiding over the arraignment for former President Donald Trump, referred to him as “Mr. Trump.”
Trump pleaded not guilty in federal court in Washington, D.C.; he faced all four federal charges stemming from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into 2020 election interference and the Capitol riot of Jan. 6, 2021.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhaya presided over Thursday’s proceedings; reporters and onlookers highlighted how she referred to the former president as “Mr. Trump.”
Trump appeared in federal court after being charged with crimes related to Jan 6
The greeting sparked speculation about whether Trump would be stung by the lack of presidential reference.
“If there is one thing I know Trump loves, it’s being called Mr. President,” tweeted ABC Executive Editorial Producer John Santucci.
“No mention of Donald Trump being a former president. No special treatment. Treating him as just another man in a Courtroom. This is the rule of law at its best,” commented Victor Shi, a Democrat.
Some Trump critics viewed the comments as a slight by the judge against the former president and speculated he would see it as a slight.
!!! via @MLevineReports – beginning the proceedings, the judge said to Trump: “Good afternoon, Mr. Trump”.
— John Santucci (@Santucci) August 3, 2023
If there is one thing I know Trump loves that he's called Mr. President now.
“Every other president would have been addressed as ‘President’ not ‘Mr.’… Let’s be real,” Daily Caller’s chief national correspondent Henry Rodgers tweeted.
Every other president would have been addressed as “President” not “Mr.”… Let’s be real. https://t.co/WmzSluzenn
— Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) August 3, 2023
However, other users cited etiquette guides suggesting the judge was following protocol in this instance because “Mr. President” is reserved for formal settings for the current office holder.
The indictment stems from Smith’s investigation into whether Trump or other officials and entities interfered with the peaceful transfer of power following the 2020 presidential election, including the certification of the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6, 2021.
Donald Trump's lawyer says, "President Trump" is present.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 3, 2023
Judge Upadhyaya says, "Good afternoon, Mr. Trump." @MSNBC
Judge Tanya Chutkan will preside over the trial. Upadhaya said Judge Chutkan intends to set a trial date of Aug. 28.
In the courtroom, the judge laid out how the proceeding would go and asked that Trump be seated closer to a microphone so that he could answer her questions. She first asked his name and age.
“Trump. Donald J. Trump — John … Seven Seven — seventy-seven.”