Trump, 77, will become the first former US president to face a criminal trial
A New York judge has dismissed Donald Trump's attempt to dismiss Stormy Daniels' hush money case and scheduled a trial for March 25. daily mail reported.
The 77-year-old, who will become the first former president to face a criminal trial, is accused of paying the adult film star $130,000 to hide their alleged affair before the 2016 election.
In a courtroom spectacle, Judge Juan Merchán rejected Trump's attempt to dismiss the case, paving the way for the former president to stand trial accused of paying Stormy Daniels for her silence.
A visibly upset Trump scowled at the packed courtroom but remained defiant, claiming there was “no case” and criticizing New York for prioritizing him on issues such as violent crime and immigrant-related incidents.
When Trump entered the courtroom, surrounded by law enforcement officials, he expressed his frustration, alleging interference from his opponents and expressing his desire to delay the trial, citing his possible re-election bid.
Trump emphasized his love for the city and state, but argued that they should focus on pressing issues such as rising violent crime and immigrant-related incidents rather than pursuing what he considered “made-up crimes.”
The March 25 trial date was set amid objections from Trump attorney Todd Blanche, who argued it would be a “grave injustice” given the former president's involvement in multiple cases in different jurisdictions. Judge Merchan, unmoved, moved forward, coordinating with Judge Tanya Chutkan who oversaw the January 6 trial in Washington.
Amid extraordinary security measures in and around the courthouse, Trump faces three more criminal trials, including charges of election interference and mishandling classified documents.
The hush money case, with allegations of falsifying business records, centers on a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels and implicates Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen.
While the outcome of the case remains uncertain, it marks a historic moment as it is the first criminal trial against a former president of the United States. As the legal proceedings unfold, the public awaits potential revelations from Daniels and examines Trump's defense against charges that hinge on a novel legal theory.
The courtroom drama intensifies amid other legal battles, including allegations of misconduct by prosecutors in Atlanta and accusations of attempting to subvert election results in Georgia and Washington. Trump maintains his innocence in all cases.
