The Impact of Trump on the GOP: A Look at His Criminal-Trial Guest List

The Trump hush-money trial in Manhattan has become a spectacle of political theater, with key Republican figures flocking to show their support for the former president. As Donald J. Trump faces allegations of payoffs to bury damaging stories, a parade of GOP politicians has descended upon the courthouse in a display of loyalty.

Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio and Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, along with other prominent Republicans, have made appearances at the trial to stand by Mr. Trump. The trial, which centers around hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, has become a litmus test for aspiring politicians seeking to align themselves with the former president.

Despite the legal troubles swirling around Mr. Trump, his support within the Republican Party remains steadfast. The trial has served as a platform for allies to amplify his talking points and criticize those he is prohibited from speaking about due to a gag order.

The scene outside the courthouse in Lower Manhattan has been a mix of political posturing and showmanship, with Mr. Trump’s allies making a visible display of their support. The trial has underscored the transformation of the Republican Party under Mr. Trump’s leadership, with critics either marginalized or forced out of the party.

As the trial continues, the political drama surrounding Mr. Trump shows no signs of abating. With the former president at the center of attention, the hush-money trial has become a battleground for the soul of the Republican Party, with loyalty to Mr. Trump emerging as a defining factor for its members.