"... was holding Republican senators rapt as he called for removing Trump from office..." and after stating unsubstantiated rumor on the floor "I don’t know if that’s true,” Schiff said." "After that remark, the generally respectful mood in the Senate immediately changed."
Most people and senators, esp. Republican senators, ARE bored with the Schiff (and Nadler) show.
And adding "I don’t know if that’s true" does not get away with inserting rumors into the 'gray and somber' all serious impeachment trial. It only highlighted how Schiff and company handled the proceedings in the House as NOT SERIOUS.
"... was holding Republican senators rapt as he called for removing Trump from office..."
Another article mentions that 21 Republican and 2 Democrat senators were out of the room during Schiff’s closing remarks.
THAT’S rapt alright...