AP Photo/Seth Wenig
- Former President Donald Trump appeared displeased in court on Tuesday as he was arraigned.
- Days before the indictment, Trump spent time "blowing off steam" on the driving range, per The New York Times.
- People close to Trump told the outlet that he appeared "subdued" and "pensive" ahead of his arrest.
In the days leading up to Donald Trump's historic arrest, the former president readied himself for the unprecedented affair with the help of some familiar friends: his golf clubs.
Trump was indicted Tuesday on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 hush-money payment to adult firm star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
The former president pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan courtroom this week, appearing displeased to be out of control of the chaos surrounding him. He has denied the affair.
The New York Times on Tuesday reported that in the days ahead of the spectacle, Trump tried to appear cheerful and at ease among those close him, who said in reality, he seemed "pensive" and even "subdued."
The Times report cited half a dozen people close to Trump who interacted with him in the days leading up to his self-surrender. Sources told the outlet that despite his outward appearances, the former president seemed to be disguising his stress about the most immediate legal troubles he is facing.
Trump spent Saturday at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he often enjoys a a round before eating lunch at the club. But over the weekend — just days before he flew to New York for the hearing — Trump instead took his time at the driving range, according to the Times.
Following his eventual lunch, Trump returned to the driving range, accompanied by his secret service, where he hit ball after ball for about 10 minutes, according to the Times, which cited an onlooker who described the scene as the former president "blowing off steam."
Trump also spent time on Saturday boasting about his standing in the 2024 polls in conversation with onlookers and fans, the newspaper reported, and calling the Manhattan district attorney's case against him "weak."
Throughout his presidency, Trump golfed frequently, spending more than 250 days on his own courses throughout his four years in office. He has continued to enjoy the pastime since being voted out, even in the face of growing legal troubles.