NEW YORK — Republican Sens. J.D. Vance of Ohio and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York attended former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial on Monday, making them the latest high-profile supporters to show up.
Mr. Vance is a freshman senator who is on the short list to be Mr. Trump’s running mate, making him a notable presence.
Mr. Tuberville, a former Auburn football coach, vocally supports Mr. Trump and used the former president’s endorsement to beat former U.S. senator and Attorney General Jeff Sessions in the 2020 primary.
Ms. Malliotakis is a Republican whose district includes Staten Island and southern Brooklyn. She has endorsed Mr. Trump in his presidential campaigns, and Mr. Trump returned the favor, helping her defeat Democratic Rep. Max Rose in 2022.
Mr. Trump decamped from New York, where he built his name and brand, for the sunny climes of Florida during his presidency.
He’s courted locals during his trial in Manhattan, however, stopping by a bodega and construction site to greet supporters and holding a rally on the beach in southern New Jersey over the weekend.
Last week, Sen. Rick Scott of Florida attended court to show support for Mr. Trump as he battles 34 counts of falsifying business records.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has shown up, and Mr. Trump’s son, Eric, is a frequent guest in court.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who is prosecuting the case against Mr. Trump, showed up in court early Monday to watch his assistant district attorneys in action.
The prosecution could wrap up its case this week, featuring testimony from former Trump attorney Michael Cohen.