NEW YORK CITY – There are very few who can order Donald Trump to stay put. But on Monday it took a Manhattan court to do just that, putting the billionaire Republican presidential candidate's campaign on ice for a day so he could do his civic duty.
Trump, like dozens of other everyday New Yorkers, reported for jury duty at the New York Supreme Court building in downtown Manhattan. Of course, the similarities ended there. His mere presence turned the building into a media scrum for much of the day as Trump moved in and out of court, surrounded by a police escort.
And it was a court date to remember for Trump's fellow jury prospects.
“I thought, ‘wow is that really him?’" one prospective female juror told FoxNews.com during the lunch break. "But he’s a nice-looking guy.”
Trump seemed mostly unfazed by the circus. While he was caught dozing off at the beginning of the day, the candidate seemed to be enjoying himself later on as he kissed babies, signed autographs and took selfies with fans after returning from the lunch break -- during which he tweeted that he had been listening to conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh.
In the end, Trump was not chosen for a jury and was released. He cannot be called back for six years.
The Republican frontrunner told FoxNews.com he enjoyed the experience, though.
“I’ve found it very professionally done, I’ve met some fantastic people and it’s been a really good experience,” Trump said after taking a selfie with an admirer.
“It’s been interesting, but I really have met some very talented people … like him,” Trump said with a smile, pointing toward one of the court police officers accompanying him who laughed and nodded his head.
In the jury room, Trump sat and talked freely to media surrounding him about everything from Jeb Bush’s fluctuating poll numbers to New England quarterback Tom Brady (“a nice guy”).
Jury assembly supervisor Irene Laracuenta told the possible jurors that their commitment would be either one day or one civil trial, depending on whether they were selected.
"No one — no one — gets special treatment," Laracuenta said in an apparent reference to Trump.
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Other prospective jurors found the experience brightened up an otherwise dull day.
“Living in New York you always expect to see a celebrity, but I was pretty surprised when he walked in,” Kate Swed, a prospective juror from Harlem, told FoxNews.com.
“It’s something to text – ‘Donald Trump is in the room with us,’” Swed said, adding that she wasn’t a fan of him politically, but was a big fan of "The Apprentice."
One Trump supporter even made the journey through bustling Manhattan in 90-degree heat to try and get a glimpse of the candidate.
“I think he’s doing things a lot different from a number of other politicians,” said Daniel Fry, chairman of a local Young Republican Club in Kansas City. “I would say what he’s doing hasn’t been done before and it’s kinda needed in this whole politically correct society – which I think is one of the things that is really dampening and ruining our country from the inside.”
Fry managed to get more than a glimpse, landing a selfie and a quick chat with the obliging Trump, and could barely hide his delight afterwards.
“It was great, it was really really good,” Fry said, his hands shaking as he admired his souvenir from the day.
After being released from jury duty, Trump joked that he was going to go home and sleep.
Asked if he believes in luck after being dismissed, Trump said, "oh I do," before heading out again into the media throng.
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