NEW YORK: A New York judge has dismissed Donald Trump’s attempt to throw out the Stormy Daniels hush-money case, scheduling a trial for March 25, Daily Mail reported.
The 77-year-old, set to become the first former president to face a criminal trial, is accused of paying the adult film star $130,000 to conceal their alleged affair before the 2016 election.
In a courtroom spectacle, Judge Juan Merchan rejected Trump’s bid to dismiss the case, paving the way for the ex-president to stand trial on charges of paying Stormy Daniels for her silence.
Trump, visibly displeased, scowled at the packed courtroom but remained defiant, claiming there was “no case” and criticising New York for prioritising him over issues like violent crimes and migrant-related incidents.
As Trump entered the courthouse, surrounded by law enforcement, he voiced his frustration, alleging interference from his opponents and expressing a desire to delay the trial, citing his potential re-election bid.
Trump emphasised his love for the city and state but argued they should focus on pressing issues such as rising violent crime and migrant-related incidents instead of pursuing what he deemed as “made-up crimes.”
The trial date of March 25 was set amidst objections from Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, who argued it would be a ‘grave injustice’ given the ex-president’s involvement in multiple cases across different jurisdictions. Judge Merchan, unmoved, pressed ahead, coordinating with Judge Tanya Chutkan overseeing the January 6th trial in Washington.
Amid extraordinary security measures in and around the courthouse, Trump faces three other criminal trials, including charges of election interference and mishandling classified documents.
The hush-money case, with allegations of falsifying business records, centres on a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels and implicates Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen.
While the case’s outcome remains uncertain, it marks a historic moment as the first criminal trial for a former US president. As legal proceedings unfold, the public awaits potential revelations from Daniels and scrutinises Trump’s defence against charges that hinge on a novel legal theory.
The courtroom drama intensifies amid a backdrop of 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 across all cases.
