“You don’t say ‘jeez’. And then if you don’t like my ruling, you don’t give me side eye, and you don’t roll your eyes,” he told the witness.

Mr Costello seemed to make a face at Justice Merchan as he scolded him, sparking another fiery response from the judge.

“Are you staring me down?” he barked shortly.

“Clear the courtroom,” Justice Merchan said, prompting court officers to shout at the dozens of members of the public and reporters to leave immediately.