Trump thanks ‘very professional’ court staff despite video of door swinging shut in his face

At former president’s arraignment on Tuesday in Manhattan video shows official not holding door for him

Former president Donald Trump has effusively thanked the staff and law enforcement officers at the New York courthouse where he was arraigned on Tuesday.

In a statement on Wednesday, he said: “The GREAT PATRIOTS inside and outside of the Courthouse on Tuesday were unbelievably nice, in fact, they couldn't have been nicer. Court attendants, Police Officers, and others were all very professional, and represented New York City sooo well. Thank you to all!”

This came after a court official failed to hold the door open for the former president just prior to his arraignment in Manhattan, delighting a number of observers who took the action as a sign of disrespect towards the first president ever to be indicted.

Mr Trump was walking through a door after a court official on Tuesday, but the court official did not hold the door for him — leaving Mr Trump to extend an arm and hold the door open for himself. He did not hold the door open for the person filing into the room after him either.

The symbolism was not lost on some viewers of the courtroom action.

“You can be absolutely sure Trump will have HATED, HATED that,” former BBC News US correspondent Jon Sopel tweeted. “Guess when you’re under arrest court staff don’t hold doors open for you.”

For many who have spent much of the last eight years angry at Mr Trump’s politics and personal behaviour, his arraignment on Tuesday was an enjoyable spectacle. Some took the opportunity to demonstrate outside of the courthouse, while others viewed the proceedings on television.

Mr Trump is facing 34 felony counts related to his alleged $130,000 hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the buildup to the 2016 presidential election, allegedly to prevent Ms Daniels from discussing their 2006 affair.

Despite the charges, Mr Trump on Tuesday experienced better treatment than other, less privileged defendants in New York do: he was not handcuffed or forced to take a mug shot, though he reportedly wanted to take one for campaign purposes.

Mr Trump did not, however, seem to get the courtesy of each court official holding the door open for him.

“Husband came running downstairs to make sure I rewound & appreciated this moment when it happened,” academic Sarah Churchwell tweeted.