Trump's trial for payments to porn actress Stormy Daniels will begin on March 25
Former President of the United States Donald Trump is set to stand trial for alleged irregular payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, starting on March 25. This date will be dedicated exclusively to jury selection, as confirmed by a judge in New York on Thursday.
Judge Juan Merchan made the announcement in the presence of Trump himself, who appeared in Manhattan court with his legal team in an attempt to have the charges dismissed, citing potential interference with the presidential election campaign. However, this request was denied.
According to Merchan, the trial is expected to last approximately six weeks. He also informed Trump’s defense team that he has been in discussions with Judge Tanya Chutkan, who will preside over a separate case in Washington DC regarding allegations of electoral interference by Trump during the 2020 elections. The coordination of trial dates is being considered to prevent conflicts. However, the trial in Washington DC, initially scheduled for March, is currently on hold pending a decision on the appeal filed by Trump’s legal team to dismiss the case.
Trump’s Legal Challenges
The former president faces a total of 34 charges in connection with the $130,000 payment he made to Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign, which aimed to conceal a past relationship between them. This payment was facilitated by his lawyer, Michael Cohen.
In addition to the ongoing trial, Trump is also facing a challenging legal schedule. On Friday, another New York court is expected to deliver its final verdict in a civil case against the Trump Organization. The potential consequences of this ruling include a ban on operating in the real estate sector in the state and could impact properties such as the iconic Trump Tower.
Furthermore, Trump will face federal charges in Florida for mishandling classified documents after leaving the presidency, as well as another case in Georgia related to his alleged attempts to overturn the election results.