Everywhere in our universe, a basic physical law applies: the greater the mass of an object, the stronger its gravitational field.
The accumulated mass of fame and political status places Donald J. Trump at the center of most rooms he finds himself in.
If he were to storm out of court suddenly, as he has in other proceedings, it would be the biggest news of the day.
But in court, unlike almost everywhere else, Mr. Trump has competition: The judge, Juan M. Merchan, exudes his own gravity and has power Mr. Trump does not.
And on Thursday, after a new pool of 96 prospective jurors walked into the high-ceilinged room, their attention slid from the former president seated at the defense table to the judge.
Persons:
Donald J, Trump, Juan M, Justice Merchan
Organizations:
Secret Service
Locations:
York